Well aware that he has not been “everyone’s cup of tea”, the enigmatic David Warner says he would have toned down a bit if he were to start all over again.
Warner walked into Test sunset on Saturday, ending a glorious career in the most befitting manner, guiding Australia to an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan for a 3-0 series sweep.
In his final outing in the traditional format, the 37-year-old was not his customary, belligerent self but still made a 75-ball 57 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, his home venue.
“Over the years, I haven’t been everyone’s cup of tea but for me, I’ve played the game as hard as I can and trying to do my best for the team,” Warner told Fox Cricket.
“If I had my time again and I knew that, I probably would show a little bit more patience with myself and I’d bite my tongue a little bit more.”
Warner has been seen as an aggressive, and, at times, slightly nasty, character
ready to not just sledge but also engage in verbal volleys with opposition players, especially during the early part of his career.
He was the central figure in the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018 in South Africa, for which he copped a one-year suspension from first-class cricket and a lifetime ban from Australian team leadership.
“I think a lot of people don’t get to see or meet or know the person. From when I first started, I was that chirpy little fella that was out there,” Warner said.
“That was my role in the team...to go out there and get under the batter’s skin and the opposition’s skin and yeah, it did boost me a little bit because they came at me when I batted.
“But they saw it early days, and I think your first impression, you don’t get a second chance at that and you know, I’ve tried to rebuild that trust and faith.”
Warner insisted he was able to change his approach in his later years in top-flight cricket, attributing it to a self-imposed drinking ban.
“I went two years where I was being called the Reverend, I stopped drinking for two-and-a-half years and really enjoyed that time,” he said.
“I think people wanted the old bull back, but for me, it was going out there and playing with pride and passion, and there’s other ways to go about it. I’ve toned it down a hell of a lot and that’s the real person that I am.
“I think the game’s changed a lot as well, you’re playing with a lot of the guys you’re playing against. There’s no need to go out there and be really chirpy and aggressive, there’s other ways to do that.”
An Aus special for their ‘mate’
Sydney: David Warner was denied the chance to score the match-winning runs in his final Test but contributed 57 as Australia cantered to their target of 130 to beat Pakistan by eight wickets and sweep the series 3-0 on Saturday.
Pakistan, looking to end a run of 16 successive losses in Australia since 1995, had added 47 runs to their overnight tally, to be dismissed for 115 an hour before lunch.
Warner shared a hug with opening partner and childhood friend Usman Khawaja at the boundary rope and was given a guard of honour by the visitors as he came to the crease.
Khawaja departed leg before for a duck in the opening over, but Warner played like a man on a mission and was soon cutting the ball through the covers in trademark style for his first four.
He brought up his 37th Test half-century with a single to square leg, and Australia went to lunch with the win all but in the bag on 91/1, 39 runs from their target.
There were seven boundaries in Warner’s 75-ball innings before spinner Sajid Khan trapped him in front with Australia 11 runs from victory. A crowd of more than 24,000 at his home ground rose for a final ovation as Warner left the field.
“It meant the world to me. I’ve given absolutely everything to play this game and to sacrifice a lot of things to be in the position that I am,” Warner said of the ovation.
“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs through my career. I’ve had to come back and overcome adversity. I’ve done that, I think, very, very well. I think today just showed tome that I do have a lot of support, and I’m very, very grateful for that.”
Reuters
