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Retiring Aussie batsman David Warner has reflected on his career and the reputation he’s forged throughout his 12-year Test career, admitting he wished that he bitten his tongue a little during his time in the middle.
Warner walked out onto the SCG on his own at the start of Day 4, which will likely be his final ever day of Test cricket with Pakistan only beginning the day 81 runs in front with three wickets in hand.
The SCG painted a ‘Thanks Dave’ tribute on the ground with Warner’s Australian Test number of 426.
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“David Warner leads them on. Touch of a (Australian) flag, he’ll walk across a tribute to himself… How cool,” Ian Smith said on Fox Cricket.
“Take it all in everybody. A cricketing career dedicated to that Baggy Green on his head, may well end today.”
Before play, Warner spoke to Fox Cricket’s Mark Howard, who asked the outgoing star what it was like to play his farewell Test in front of a home crowd.
“It’s amazing. I did say six months ago that this would be ideal,” Warner said.
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.
“Hopefully I’ve regained that trust and belief from everyone.”
Warner was typically honest in the chat with Howard, stressing that all he wanted to do was play for Australia with “pride and passion”.
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However, the outgoing star lamented the way he used his aggression out in the middle at times throughout his career.
Warner was a central figure in the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018, where he copped a year suspension from first class cricket.
He also had an off-field run-in with South African keeper Quinton de Kock, stemming from personal sledging claims.
“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. my role in the team was 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 says he has no doubt changed his approach in his later years, attributing 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.
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.”
Day 4 sets up perfectly for Warner to be the hero in his swansong Test match, with the Aussies set a total of 130 to win.
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