David Warner | Image:Cricket Australia

Australian opener David Warner is set to retire from all forms of international cricket after the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA. Warner has already retired from Test and ODI cricket and is playing his last T20I games for Australia before calling off his time at the biggest of stages.

Australia will lock horns against Bangladesh in their first Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024. Before the crucial encounter, David Warner expressed hope that people would remember him for his cricket and not for the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that rocked Australian cricket to the core.

Also Read: ‘When we come to USA…’: India coach reveals REAL REASON on why Shubman Gill was released in T20 WC

David Warner wants people to remember him for his cricket

David Warner said that he is the only player out of those involved to have copped so much criticism from fans and pundits alike. The 37-year-old feels that he has taken a lot of pressure off other people in his team as he is the one who is always targetted. If reports are to be believed, Warner may have masterminded the sandpaper incident and hence he is being criticised much more than the two other players who were involved – Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith.

However, David Warner has served his punishment and has since returned to international cricket in style.

“Coming back since 2018 I’ve probably … been the only one that’s ever copped a lot of flak,” Warner told News Corp.

“My back was always up against the wall when I came back, and I knew that. I copped my fair share over my career. I’ve probably been the only one that’s ever copped a lot of flak, whether it’s people who don’t like the Australian cricket team or don’t like me,” he added.

“I’ve always been that person who has copped it. I always feel like I’ve taken a lot of pressure off a lot of guys as well and I think understandably, I’ve been that person to be able to absorb that.”

“But one can only absorb so much. For me it’s great to go out knowing I’m not going to cop it anymore.”

“I think it’s going to be inevitable that when people talk about me in 20 or 30 years’ time, there will always be that sandpaper scandal,” he said.

“But for me, if they’re real cricket tragics and they love cricket, (as well as) my closest supporters, they will always see me as that cricketer – someone who tried to change the game.

“Someone who tried to follow in the footsteps of the openers before me and try and score runs at a great tempo and change Test cricket in a way.”

Also Read: Vaughan suggests Kane Williamson looks to Virat Kohli for inspiration after NZ’s T20 WC Exit

Both David Warner and then-captain Steve Smith were suspended for one year with Cameron Bancroft getting a nine-month suspension. David Warner was also banned for life from taking any leadership role in the Australian cricket setup. 

(With PTI inputs)