David Warner has left the doors open to appear in next year’s champions trophy despite announcing his international retirement in the ODI format.
David Warner leaves door Ajar for the Champions Trophy
Warner announced his ODI retirement after the World Cup 2023 final in the 50-over format but opened up on being available for the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan if he was needed.
Last month he announced his T20I retirement after Australia knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024 in Super 8s. However, in an Instagram post, Warner made another reference to the Champions Trophy which will be played in February and March.
“I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for [Australia] in the Champions Trophy if selected,” he posted. It is an implausible scenario given by Warner that will not be available for any of Australia’s matches in the lead-up to the tournament.
Jake Fraser McGurk, who Warner endorsed as successor will be the frontrunner to come in at the top order. Australia’s ODI tour of England in September and home tour against Pakistan in November.
Previously in January, Pat Cummins responded to the prospect of Warner making his return for the Champions Trophy.
“I think it’s probably time to give some others a crack [in ODIs], but knowing that he’s going to still be playing cricket,” he said. “So it might be more of a kind of break glass in an emergency option. But, you know, David is going to be scoring runs somewhere in the world. So you never quite know that this is [the end].”
Warner has scored 6932 runs at an average of 45.30 with 22 centuries in ODIs. “Chapter closed!! It’s been an unbelievable experience to play at the highest level for such a long period,”
Warner said in his Instagram post. “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.
“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 can be seen in action in Canada’s GT20 and T10 tournaments in upcoming months. Meanwhile, Sydney Thunder remains confident of seeing him return for the BBL although he also has a deal signed with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 which overlaps in the tournament.
