David Warner’s final act as an international Test cricketer has made the day of a young fan, capping off his extraordinary career in the longest form of the game.
Warner signed off from Test cricket with an aggressive 57, ensuring Australia claimed the clean sweep after losing an early wicket in a small chase on a tricky SCG pitch.
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The best of Warner’s final Test innings | 04:05
The 37-year-old Warner has always been a swashbuckling batsman and will go down as one of the greatest Aussie openers, averaging 44.6 at a strike rate of 70.19 across 112 Test matches. With 8786 runs including 26 centuries and 37 fifties, Warner is the 22nd most prolific batter in Test history, while also having the highest strike rate of any batter in the top 25.
But while Warner was often also maligned for his role in the Cape Town sandpaper scandal, the man affectionately known as The Bull, he showed his true colours with his final act on field.
Warner was met with a standing ovation when he was dismissed just 11 runs from an Australian victory in the third Test against Pakistan and soaked in the adulation from the Sydney crowd.
It would have been understandable for Warner to just leave the field and enjoy a selfish moment reflecting on his career.
But Warner, who regularly handed out his playing gloves out to young fans, gave 12-year-old fan Brody Quin not only his gloves, but also his helmet.
While the gloves are regularly handed out, the helmet will be a special keepsake for the youngster, who admitted he was surprised Warner gave up the helmet as well.
“I just got up there and got through. The kids were trying to push me but I got it,” Quin told The Sydney Morning Herald.
While the selfless act may be a surprise to some, it’s not to his teammates.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who has played most of his first-class and Test career alongside Warner, said: “I feel like he’s the most generous player I’ve ever played with.
“He’s forever organising, whether it’s golf, whether it’s drinks, whatever it may be, he’s just that personality. He’s just wanting to give the whole time, so he’s certainly going to be missed, not even talking about his cricket ability.
“He’s been the heart and soul of this Australian cricket team for a number of years now. It’s going to be a massive hole he’s going to leave and I don’t think the Australian public will realise until we get down to Adelaide next week and in to Brisbane but also leading into the future, the role he played in this Australian cricket team.”
‘A dream come true’: Warner says goodbye | 04:03
Last week, Warner revealed he had also already played his final ODI match as he shifts his focus to the international T20 circuit.
Asked on field after Australia wrapped up the match, Warner was asked on Fox Cricket how he wanted to be remembered, to which he replied: “Exciting.”
“It’s pretty much a dream come true,” Warner said on Fox Cricket. “To win 3-0 and cap off what’s been a great 18 months for the Australian cricket team.
“I’m just proud to be with a bunch of great cricketers here.
“We’re in the entertainment business and I’m just happy show what I try to do every time.
“I tried to play my shots and we managed to get the win, which is great.”
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