AUS vs PAK: Watch- MCG Crowd Gives A Standing Ovation To David Warner As He Walks Back To The Melbourne Dugout For The Final Time In Tests

Australian opener David Warner who is also known as the Pocket size dynamite for his aggressive flair and unfearful batting style is taking part in his final Test series for Australia against Pakistan in a 3-match Test series. Earlier today during Australia’s 2nd inning, Warner took the walk towards the MCG dressing room for one last time as a Test player with the crowd giving him a standing ovation for his illustrious career.

The hosts are 1-0 up in the NRMA Insurance Test series after winning the 1st Test at Perth by a 360-run margin. And it was David Warner who had laid the foundation for an Aussie win at the Optus Stadium as he scored a terrific Full century to help Australia post 487 in the 1st inning score.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 7Cricket (@7cricket)

David Warner had a burden of expectation on his shoulders as his Test record hasn’t been that great since making his debut in December 2011 against New Zealand at Brisbane. He did not have the best of starts to his Test career, scoring only 15 runs combined across both innings.

However, he responded in style as he has always done throughout his career and scored a brilliant first-ever Test Century at Hobart. Although Australia had lost that Test match by 7 runs David Warner was adjudged as the man of the match for his 123 in the 2nd innings.

Australia at that very time knew they have found a new gem in the opening slot and someone who can continue the legacy of great Aussie openers like Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, and Adam Gilchrist. He started taking everyone by storm since then.

His 2nd Test hundred came against India at Perth where he scored a quickfire 180 off 159 balls and helped the Aussies win by an inning and 37 runs. David Warner went on to score 24 more Hundreds along with 36 half-centuries but it will be fair to say that he could never become the Greatest Ever Test opener for Australia as it was expected when he started his career.

The Sandpaper Gate or the Ball tampering scandal in March 2018 at Newlands in a 3rd Test match against South Africa had seen him off the field, banned by Cricket Australia for exactly a year and in that time he could not even play in the Indian Premier League.

Since that incident, David Warner became very distant from the conversation of the best Test opener in the world. He had to wait for exactly 6 test matches to score a Test century after serving the one-year ban as he scored 153 in the 1st Innings of the 1st Test against Pakistan followed by his career best of 335 not out in the 2nd test at Adelaide.

David Warner Gets Out For 6 In His Final Test At MCG With Australia In Commanding Position

In his final Test appearance at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, David Warner scored 38 in the 1st inning with his temperament looking as if he would score a Century in the 2nd Inning. However, Warner played on his stumps as Pakistani left-arm pacer Mir Hamza’s good length delivery struck the stumps after hitting Warner’s bat as he tried to play a pull shot.

At the ground where he scored 912 Test runs, and made his T20I debut all those years, David Warner bids farewell to the MCG for one final time #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/0XQ6O74meH

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2023

The entire crowd at the MCG went a little silent but knowing that it was David Warner’s final Test match at the venue, the crowd gave a standing ovation to the 37-year-old. He waved his bat in the air and also made a sweet gesture by handing one of his hand gloves to a young fan present in the stadium.

Warner scored 912 Test runs at the MCG and also made his T20I debut there. He will retire from Test cricket after the 3rd Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground which will start from January 3.