Watch: David Warner received a standing applause and a guard of honour after being dismissed for one final time in Test cricket, towards the conclusion of the Australia v Pakistan SCG New Year’s Test.
Warner walked off as the second wicket to fall in Australia’s chase of 130, which they completed not long after, finishing a 3-0 clean sweep over the tourists.
He was dismissed by Sajid Khan on 57, walking off to a loud applause from the Sydney crowd. The Pakistan players came up to him one by one to applaud, and he lifted his bat to acknowledge the cheers, waving it around as the noise grew.
At the boundary rope, he was given a hug by his long-standing teammate Steve Smith, who replaced him at the crease, and remained not out on four as Australia completed an eight-wicket win.
When he walked out to bat with Usman Khawaja, hugging his opening partner before entering the field, Warner received a guard of honour from the Pakistan players and the two umpires. He walked through the passage created for him, with billboards behind reading “There is no one like Warner”. Skipper Shan Masood was the first to welcome him as he walked through pats and handshakes, making his way to the middle one last time.
At the presentation ceremony, the entire SCG crowd was allowed to enter the playing area and stand on the side as Warner and team received their medals and trophy.
In an emotional farewell speech, Warner said: “[I would like to be remembered as] exciting, entertaining, and I hope I put a smile on everyone’s face with the way that I played and hopefully the young kids out there can follow in my footsteps.”
Warner retires with 8,786 runs from 112 Tests, having scored the most runs in the format by an Australia opener. Among the all-time list, only Ricky Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Smith have scored more runs.
Watch Warner receive a standing ovation and a guard of honour
One final time.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/gbD9Fv28h8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 6, 2024
For the final time, David Warner leaves the Test arena to a standing ovation from his home crowd 👏 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/EOrHijY6ke
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 6, 2024
The whole crowd at SCG were allowed to enter the ground to see Warner for one final time in Tests. pic.twitter.com/UVGQKoDLoY
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 6, 2024