David Warner has outlined his desire to finish his Test career with a hometown swansong in Sydney, declaring his wish for next summer’s series against Pakistan to be his last in the Baggy Green.
Speaking to reporters in Beckenham ahead of next week’s World Test Championship final against India, Warner said he hopes he will be able to finish his Test career at the SCG against Pakistan in January.
The 36-year-old ruled out going on for the two Tests against West Indies, but still hopes to keep playing white-ball cricket for Australia until the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA.
“You’ve got to score runs. I’ve always said the (2024) World Cup would probably be my final game,” Warner said 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.”
Warner knows there are no guarantees however.
The opener will start Australia’s six-Test tour of the United Kingdom at the top of the order, but acknowledged he needs to perform better in the coming weeks than he did on his last visit to England during the 2019 Ashes when he averaged under 10.
He has vowed to take a more aggressive approach this time, conceding he got stuck in a negative mindset during the 2-2 series draw, and hopes his recent success in the Indian Premier League will flow into his long-form batting.
