In a significant decision, Australian opener David Warner has revealed his intention to bid farewell to Test cricket, announcing his retirement during the upcoming Australian summer. Warner, currently in England for the ICC World Test Championship final against India at the Oval, is expected to participate in the subsequent Ashes series against England starting on June 16.
While he has set his sights on the ODI World Cup in India in October-November, the 36-year-old has expressed his desire to conclude his Test career at his hometown ground in Sydney, with a match against Pakistan scheduled for January 2024. This decision marks a notable milestone in Warner's cricketing journey with the southpaw being a veteran of 103 Tests, 142 ODIs and 99 T20Is and one of the most successful openers for the Kangaroos across formats.
"You've got to score runs. I've always said the (2024) World Cup would probably be my final game," Warner said speaking to reporters in Beckenham on Saturday.
"I probably owe it to myself and my family - if I can score runs here and continue to play back in Australia - I can definitely say I won't be playing that West Indies series. If I can get through this (WTC final and ensuing Ashes campaign) and make the Pakistan series I will definitely finish up then," the 36-year-old added.
"I want to play that 2024 World Cup. It is something that is on the back of my mind. We've got a lot of cricket before that, and then I think it stops from February," Warner further stated.
"So for me, then I'll have to play IPL and some of the other franchise leagues and then get into that rhythm to play in June. There will be a bit of cricket around to play. Who knows I might go back and play a Shield game for New South Wales," he added.
For now though, he would be gearing up for the WTC 2023 final set to commence on June 7.