The enigmatic David Warner is well aware that he isn't “everyone's cup of tea” and says he would have been a bit calmer if he were starting from scratch. Warner walked into Saturday's Test sunset ending a glorious career in the most fitting manner, leading Australia to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan for a 3-0 series sweep. In his final outing in the traditional format, the 37-year-old was not his usual combative self but still made a 75-ball 57 at the SCG, 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 tried my best for the team,” Warner told host 'Fox Cricket'.
“If I had my time again and I knew it, I would probably be a little more patient with myself and bite my tongue a little more.” Warner is seen as an aggressive and sometimes somewhat vicious character willing not only to sledge, but also to engage in verbal volleys with opponents, especially during the early part of his career.
He was the central figure in the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, for which he was given a one-year ban from first-class cricket and a lifetime ban from managing the Australian team.
“I think a lot of people don't see or meet or know the person. From the moment I started, I was that happy little guy out there,” Warner said.
“That was my role on the team… to go out and get under the skin of the hitter and the opponent, and yeah, it gave me a little bit of a boost because they came to me when I hit.
“But they saw it early, and I think your first impression doesn't get a second chance for that and you know, I tried to rebuild that trust and belief.” Warner insisted he was able to change his approach in his later years in top-flight cricket, putting this down to a self-imposed drinking ban.
“I went through two years where I was called a pastor, I stopped drinking for two and a half years and I 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 are other ways to go about it. I've toned it down a lot and that's the real person I am.
“I think the game has changed a lot too, you play with a lot of the guys you play against. There's no need to go out there and be really upbeat and aggressive, there are other ways to do that.” Warner retires as Australia's second most prolific batsman in international cricket with 18612 runs across formats, behind the legendary Ricky Ponting (27368). He scored 8786 runs in Tests at an average of 44.49 using 26 hundreds and 37 fifties.
He also scored 6932 runs from 161 ODIs at an average of 45.30 with the help of 22 hundreds and 33 fifties. He has already announced his retirement from ODIs but will remain available for T20Is and domestic T20 competitions around the world.
“It's actually a dream come true… it's been a great 18 months for the team. Thanks to a WTC win, an Ashes draw and the (ODI) World Cup, it's a great achievement to get here and with 3- 0 to win.” I'm proud to be here with a bunch of great friends.
“I felt happy and very proud when I got to the ground this morning. We are in the entertainment business and I just tried to come out and show what I can do, play my chances and we managed to get a to win on the board, that's great.” Speaking about his support system, he said: “(Family) is a big part of my life. You can't do what you do without their support.
“I give credit to my parents for a beautiful upbringing, my brother Steve, and then Candice came along, who kind of aligned me and we have a beautiful family now… I'm not going to move on because I I will getting too emotional.” The SCG painted a 'Thanks Dave' tribute on the ground with Warner's Australian Test number 426.
“(Would like to be remembered as) exciting, entertaining, and I hope I put a smile on everyone's face with the way I played and hopefully the young kids out there can follow in my footsteps.
“White ball cricket to test cricket. It is the pinnacle of our sport. So keep working hard to play the red ball game as it is entertaining too.”
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