David Warner says he regrets being a Dog in his career

In a recent revelation, veteran Australian opener David Warner expressed regret about adopting an aggressive nature early in his cricket career. David Warner highlighted that had the Indian Premier League (IPL) come earlier, he might have chosen a different approach.

David Warner made his international debut for Australia in 2009 and subsequently emerged as one of the team’s most significant match-winners. The southpaw, known for his aggressive nature, was involved in various controversies, including the ball-tampering saga.

The 37-year-old was identified as the mastermind behind the Newlands ball-tampering incident in Cape Town. Cricket Australia imposed a one-year ban on both Warner and Steve Smith, while Cameron Bancroft faced a nine-month ban from professional cricket.

Warner retired from Test cricket after a 3-0 clean sweep against Pakistan earlier this month. The left-handed batter concluded his illustrious red-ball career with a half-century in the final innings. Notably, he played a 164-run knock in the first Test of his farewell series.

I Would Have Changed Early Doors – David Warner

David Warner has revealed the regret from his early cricketing career, expressing that he wouldn’t have adopted the role of the ‘attack dog’ if given the chance to alter his path.

“I would have changed early doors, I wouldn’t have been that ‘attack dog’,” Warner told Code Sports.

“If IPL came around earlier, in my mind I found that the more I get to know people, the more I wouldn’t actually go at someone. And I felt like I was actually directed to be that person, to go out there and attack opposition players and get under their skin,” he added.

That’s All You Knew Growing Up – David Warner

David Warner reflected on the influence of the environment he grew up in, stating that facing verbal attacks in grade cricket contributed to his aggressive nature in cricket.

“Yeah it made me play better because they came at me, but it wasn’t what I’ve always set out to do. I think just because that was me growing up and being attacked verbally, playing grade cricket, that’s all you knew growing up,” stated Warner.

“What you play around and what you play in teams with, if people are going against you, you just think it’s acceptable to do that. ‘So that was almost like the role that I was encouraged to take up. And that’s probably one thing that I reckon I would speak up and change in my career, definitely.”

David Warner also announced his retirement from ODI cricket as well. He ended his Test career with 8786 runs at an average of 44.59, featuring 26 centuries and 37 fifties. In ODIs, he scored 6932 runs in 161 matches at an average of 45, with 22 centuries to his name.

The veteran cricketer played a crucial role in Australia’s triumphs in both the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cups, as well as their lone victory in the 2021 T20 World Cup. He was also part of Australia’s win against India in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final.

Also read: Marcus Harris Expresses Frustration Over Steve Smith Opening In Tests Post David Warner Retirement