"Chapter closed!!"- David Warner confirms international retirement; Open to play for Australia in 2025 Champions Trophy
Australian opener David Warner officially confirmed his international retirement through a lengthy Instagram post on July 8. The 37-year-old finished his career on a sombre note, as Australia failed to reach the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final.
Warner was hit-and-miss during the tournament, scoring 178 runs at an average of 29.66 and a strike rate of 139.06 in seven outings.
However, the champion batter enjoyed an incredible 15-year international career, finishing with 18,995 runs and 49 centuries, both second-most by an Australian batter behind Ricky Ponting.
David Warner posted on his Instagram handle:
"Chapter closed!! It’s been an unbelievable experience to play at the highest level for such a long period. Australia was my team. The majority of my career was at the international level. It’s been an honor to be able to do this. 100+ games in all formats is my highlight."
He continued:
"I want to say thanks to everyone out there who has made this possible. My wife and my girls, who sacrificed so much, thank you for all your support. No person will ever know what we’ve been through. For all the cricket fans out there, I truly hope I have entertained you and changed cricket, especially tests, in a way where we scored a bit faster than others. We cannot do what we love without the fans, so thanks."
Warner's 335 against Pakistan is the 10th highest in a Test innings all-time and second by an Australian behind Matthew Hayden.
The southpaw also boasts the fourth and fifth-highest score by an Aussie in ODIs with scores of 179 and 178 against Pakistan and Afghanistan respectively.
"Open to playing for Aus in the Champions trophy if selected" - David Warner
David Warner finished his Instagram post by confirming that he would continue to play franchise cricket and be open to playing for Australia in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The 37-year-old was part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 2024 IPL season.
Warner also played a massive role in Australia's 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup triumphs.
"I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for Aus in the Champions trophy if selected. To the players and staff, thanks for putting up with me. No more what’s app junk, your ears are now going to be free of my voice. This team has had unbelievable success the Last few years and long may this continue. Pat cummins, Andrew old Mac and staff have got this," concluded Warner.
The veteran batter was the Player of the Tournament in Australia's 2021 T20 World Cup title run, scoring 289 runs and a brilliant 38-ball 53 in the finale against New Zealand.