David Warner announces retirement from ODI cricket, keeps doors open for Champions Trophy
David Warner is in his last Test series. The Aussie star has announced his retirement from ODI cricket as well. Australia's World Cup 2023 final win over India was the final 50-over match for the veteran.
Australia's iconic opening batter David Warner on Monday announced his retirement from ODIs along with Test cricket. Warner, who will be playing his final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Pakistan from January 3 onwards, has stated that he is hanging his boots from the 50-over format as well but will be available for the Champions Trophy if needed. The 37-year-old revealed that the ODI World Cup final was his last game in the format.
"I'm definitely retiring from one-day cricket as well. That was something that I had said through the World Cup, get through that, and winning it in India, I think that's a massive achievement," Warner said on Monday at the SCG where he is scheduled to play his last Test.
Warner added that he will look to play league cricket around the world and is available to feature in the T20 World Cup next year in June. The 37-year-old also said that he will be available for the Champions Trophy in 2025 if needed.
"So I'll make that decision today, to retire from those forms, which does allow me to go and play some other leagues around the world and sort of get the one-day team moving forward a little bit. I know there's a Champions Trophy coming up. If I'm playing decent cricket in two years' time and I'm around and they need someone, I'm going to be available," he added.
Warner will be seen in action for the final time in Test cricket in his home Sydney in the third and final Test of the series against Pakistan. He will then feature in at least four games in the Big Bash League for Sydney Thunder but could miss the finals to play for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, a league bankrolled by IPL franchises. The star opener is seeking No Objection Certificate from Cricket Australia for the same.
Warner's prolific ODI career
Warner ends his ODI career with two 50-over World Cups - in 2015 and 2023 in his trophy cabinet. He is the sixth highest-run scorer for Australia in the format with 6932 runs to his name. Only Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Michael Clarke and Steve Waugh have more runs than Warner in the format. As an opener, Warner is Australia's second-highest run scorer with 6888 runs, only behind Adam Gilchrist's tally of 9200 runs. The Southpaw made his 50-over debut in January 2009 and went on to win 161 ODI caps for his team.