GUWAHATI: David Warner's illustrious 15-year international career concluded when Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in St. Vincent on Monday night, resulting in Australia's elimination from the T20 World Cup at the Super Eight stage. This marked a subdued end for Warner, who left the field in St. Lucia uncertain that his time in an Australian jersey had come to an end.
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Warner's retirement has been a phased process: he played his final ODI during the World Cup final victory over India in November, and his last Test match against Pakistan in January. He had long indicated that this T20 World Cup would be his last tournament. Although he has left the possibility open for a return for next year's Champions Trophy, it remains an unlikely prospect.
His final appearance, against India, was underwhelming: he scored six runs off six balls before edging a delivery from Arshdeep Singh to slip, where Suryakumar Yadav took a low catch. Frustrated, Warner punched his bat with his right hand and walked off the pitch with his head bowed. Not knowing if this would be his last game, there was no guard of honor or standing ovation to mark the occasion.
After the game, he was pictured chatting to Virat Kohli on the outfield at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground and Josh Hazlewood said that the timing of Warner's send-off from his team-mates would depend on the result of Afghanistan's late game against Bangladesh.
Ponting, of course, went through this process almost a decade back. “We know he retired in the summer from test cricket, but you’ll struggle to find a guy that’s had as big an impact on all three forms in Australian cricket than David Warner has."
“I’ve been able to play with him, I’ve been able to coach him in the IPL the last couple of years and I really enjoy his company. So he should be very proud of what he’s done.”
It’s back to the drawing board for the green and gold now, which transitions to a new Warner-less reality. “We'll definitely miss him around the group, out in the field and off field,” bowler Josh Hazelwood said after the team’s loss to India.
