In a poignant display of sportsmanship, the Pakistan cricket team once again paid tribute to the retiring Australian batter David Warner with a guard of honor on the fourth day of the farewell Test in Sydney.
Before David Warner and Usman Khawaja made their entry onto the venue, the Pakistan team was already present, prepared to honor the departing Australian legend.
Despite the unexpected Baggy Green saga, with Warner’s iconic cap briefly going missing before the third Test, the Aussie opener took a moment, gazing up at the skies, before stepping onto the field for the last Test of his illustrious career. In a heartening gesture, Usman Khawaja and David Warner shared a warm hug before facing their opponents.
Warner then walked onto the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the final time as a Test cricketer, emotionally soaking up the atmosphere. His farewell was accompanied by a ‘Thanks Dave’ tribute on the SCG ground, honoring his Australian Test number, 426.
David Warner: A Aussie legend
The camaraderie between David Warner and Usman Khawaja, longtime friends from age-group cricket, was evident. Warner, emotionally embracing the moment, received applause from the crowd at his home ground.
As for the ongoing match, Australia finds itself only 39 runs away from completing a 3-0 whitewash. While the target of 130 appeared slightly tricky, especially after Khawaja was dismissed for a duck, David Warner showcased brilliance in his final Test innings.
Following a grandstand entry, which included a guard of honor and handshakes, Warner meticulously worked towards raising a half-century. Labuschagne complemented with attacking strokeplay, and together, they whittled down 91 runs off the target.
Warner, who announced his ODI retirement on New Year’s Day in Sydney, boasts an impressive record against Pakistan, accumulating 1467 runs in 13 matches at an average of 77.21, including six centuries. In his farewell Test, the retiring batsman aims to add another century to his tally, leaving an indelible mark on the cricketing world as he concludes his Test career.
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