In what could potentially be David Warner final Test innings, the veteran opener experienced a bittersweet moment at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on day two of the third Test against Pakistan. Warner, who has been an iconic figure in Australian cricket, received a standing ovation from the 20,000-strong crowd after being dismissed for 34.
The poignant scene unfolded at 12:08 pm (local time) on Thursday when David Warner fairy-tale farewell took an unexpected turn. After a resilient 100-minute stint at the crease, the left-handed batsman succumbed to a tantalizing off-break from Salman Ali Agha, edging the ball to slip where Babar Azam completed the catch.
Ricky Ponting, commenting on the delivery, praised Salman’s craftsmanship, noting the extra turn that squared up David Warner and led to his downfall. Warner’s dismissal marked his lowest score against Pakistan at the SCG, disrupting the script of a potential fairy-tale innings.
David Warner gets reprieve
Despite the standing ovation and the acknowledgment of the crowd, Warner’s innings had its share of luck earlier. On 20, Pakistan debutant Saim Ayub dropped a straightforward catch at first slip, granting David Warner a reprieve. Ayub, filling in for the specialist slipper Salman, missed a golden opportunity, and Warner, sensing fortune, continued his innings.
Warner’s 68-ball stay included moments of productive stroke play, but his dismissal left him visibly frustrated. The veteran cricketer, accompanied by his wife Candice in the stands, refrained from raising his bat. Instead, he expressed disappointment with himself and acknowledged the crowd’s support with a quick wave of his right hand.
The subdued exit didn’t resonate as a definitive farewell for David Warner, leaving the possibility of another innings at his beloved SCG open. Whether Australia can amass a significant first-innings total and dismiss Pakistan quickly will determine if Warner gets one last chance to bat in Test cricket. The fans, however, showered him with appreciation, recognizing the end of an era for one of the game’s greats.
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