NEW DELHI: The experienced Australian batsman
David Warner
is determined to end his international career on a high note, stating that the Australian team will adopt a "fearless" approach during the T20I World Cup in their pursuit of creating history.
While Warner has announced his retirement from the longer formats, he has not completely ruled out the possibility of returning for the
2025 Champions Trophy
if the Australian team requires an opening batsman.
However, he believes that the team may not need his services for that particular event.
The
T20 World Cup
, which has been expanded to include 20 teams, will be hosted by the West Indies and the United States in June. All of Australia's matches will take place in the Caribbean. The tournament presents a unique opportunity for Australia to achieve a remarkable feat in cricket.
The 37-year-old Warner is among a select group of four players, including
Pat Cummins
,
Mitchell Starc
, and
Travis Head
, who have the chance to become the first team in history to simultaneously hold three International Cricket Council trophies, having already won the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup in the past year.
"Being part of that potential history, you only sit back and reflect on those things when you're completely done and dusted," Warner, who is in Trinidad, said as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald. "I did an interview with the ICC recently asking me about it and all the tournaments I've been a part of, and I can't remember them all, but it's been great," he added.
However, he continues to hint that it may not be the end, referencing the ICC's revived Champions Trophy, a mini-World Cup scheduled to be held in Pakistan next year.
"They may not need me," he added with a laugh.
Warner was forced to miss the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season due to an injury to his left hand. Despite this setback, he showcased his readiness by scoring an impressive 54 runs off just 21 deliveries in a practice game against Namibia held in Trinidad last week.
Warner, however, will not be participating in any matches until Australia's opening encounter against Oman, which is scheduled to take place in Barbados on Thursday.
Warner's journey towards bidding farewell to the grand stage has been quite remarkable. In November, Australia emerged victorious against India in India to clinch the ODI World Cup title. Later, in January, he bid adieu to traditional cricket during the Sydney Test match. It is highly anticipated that he will make his final appearance in T20 internationals while playing in the Caribbean.
Regardless of when the star batsman decides to hang up his boots, one thing is certain: Warner will undoubtedly give his all and go out with a bang, no matter which team he faces in his final moments on the cricket field.
"We've always played fearless and I think that's why we've been so successful over the last few years. We don't care about our spot in a team, we just care about doing the best that we can, and making sure that whatever we're doing, we're trying to be that match winner," he said.
"And the fortunate thing is that we've got so many of them. One might come off one day, the next day someone else will come off. So we just know that one person in that top six, if they can get anywhere between 60 to 80 runs at a good strike rate, we know we're always going to post a good total. It's the same with the new ball. If Starcy [Mitchell Starc] is swinging the ball, we'll get early wickets, and that brings the spinners into the game," he added.
Warner is confident that Australia's resounding triumph against India in the World Cup late last year, coupled with their impressive showing versus South Africa in the semi-final, has provided them with a psychological advantage over their competitors.
"If you look at the way that we performed with our backs up against the wall after the first couple of games [losing badly to India and South Africa], you just never count us out," he said.
(With ANI inputs)
English (US) ·