Warner's 57 reminds Australia what they'll be missing

David Warner leaves the field in his final Test for Australia, who beat Pakistan by eight wickets. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

David Warner has signed off from Test cricket by offering Australia a reminder of how much he'll be missed, scoring a powerful half-century in an eight-wicket win over Pakistan.

Warner's career went full circle at the SCG on Saturday, showing the same kind of brazen batting that made him famous 15 years ago when he burst onto the international scene.

In a fitting farewell to his 112-Test career, Warner hit 57 from 75 balls before being trapped lbw by Sajid Khan with Australia 11 runs short of their target of 130.

The opener left to a standing ovation, before Australia sealed a 3-0 clean sweep of the tourists in the next over.

"It's pretty much a dream come true," Warner said. 

"You win 3-0 and cap off what has been a great 18 months for the team."

Pat Cummins described Warner as "box office", while the man himself joked he was trying to emulate his famous 2009 Twenty20 debut against South Africa.

But there was a method to the madness.

With a small target on the board, and after fellow opener Usman Khawaja was trapped lbw for a duck on a spinning pitch, Warner made a point to break the back of Pakistan.

He twice reverse-swept Sajid to the boundary in a bid to counteract the rough outside off stump, and even walked at quick Mir Hamza on the third ball he faced.

There were bludgeoning cover drives and even an attempted reverse-scoop.

The 37-year-old sprinted between the wickets and took on the field with the kind of energy international players half his age would struggle to maintain.

And he brought out the best in others, combining with Marnus Labuschagne (62no) for their seventh century partnership.

Marnus Labuschagne plays a shot against Pakistan at the SCG.
Marnus Labuschagne, unbeaten on 62, guided Australia home in the third Test against Pakistan.

There was also some luck.

Warner almost chopped on when on 16, saw a tough chance grassed on 25 and survived an lbw call on 53.

But as is always the case with Warner, when the ball came out of the middle of the bat it was imposing for the opposition.

This had all the hallmarks of Warner at his best: able to take the game away from the opposition before they had realised what hit them.

"I said to Marnus ... 'I've got nothing to lose so I'm going to go out there and play the way that I do'," Warner said. 

"I've always said (with) low totals, you've got to come out and be very positive. That's what I set out to do.

"I enjoyed the way that I went about it out there. I played with freedom. I was relaxed. 

"I'm always calm and clear. But today was the end, so I I wanted to go out my way."

Australia have conceded it will be near impossible to find another Warner. 

The most prolific opener in the side's history, he has scored at a faster rate than any other Australian in the top order in the past decade.

"One thing is the style he plays, and today a run-a-ball 50 on a tricky wicket," Cummins said. 

"But also in Test cricket you play in all kinds of conditions. And losing someone who has played 100 Test matches is pretty hard to fill.

"It was a good reminder of what an experienced and high-class cricketer Davey is." 

Usman Khawaja (left) and David Warner embrace at the SCG.
Usman Khawaja (left) and David Warner embrace before heading out to open in Warner's final innings.

Warner's runs came after Josh Hazlewood set up the win for Australia on Friday evening, with Pakistan bowled out for 115 on the fourth morning.

After the tourists took a 15-run first-innings lead, Hazlewood (4-16) claimed a triple-wicket maiden late on day three to crush Pakistan's hopes.

They were able to offer brief resistance on Saturday morning, Mohammad Rizwan (28) and Aamir Jamal (18) putting on 42 for the eighth wicket.

But when Nathan Lyon (3-36) had Rizwan caught at leg slip, they folded quickly.

The win cements Australia's newly crowned status as the world's No.1-ranked Test team, with two matches against West Indies to come later in January.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store