David Warner, Australia’s veteran opener who played his farewell international match at home on Tuesday, believes it is time to give younger players more opportunities.
The 37-year-old’s final ODI appearance came in last year’s 50-over World Cup final, while his Test career came to a conclusion with a half-century against Pakistan in Sydney in January.
“I’m well and truly done, it’s time for the youngsters to come through and show their talent,” Warner said after Australia’s 37-run loss to West Indies in the third T20I.
In his final innings at home, Warner scored 81 runs off 49 deliveries, including 54 boundaries.
While declaring his retirement from regular cricket, the southpaw stated earlier this year that he will be available for T20Is and T20 leagues around the world.
Warner, who has 3067 runs in 102 T20Is, is part of the T20I squad that will play against a touring New Zealand team later this month.
He will then travel to India for the IPL before heading to the United States and West Indies for the T20 World Cup, which will be his final appearance in the shortest format for Australia.
“It was nice to take a vacation and play the franchise stuff. I have a lot of time off after the New Zealand series, so I’ll go to the IPL before we head to the Caribbean for the World Cup,” he said.
“I’ve said I want to play the World Cup and finish there,” he said after the first T20I against West Indies last week.” Warner was instrumental in Australia’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2020, winning the Player of the Tournament.
