Why David Warner’s last game for Australia was the WORST possible way for the controversial batter to finish his international career

David Warner’s final farewell could not have taken place in more uncharacteristic circumstances.

Warner, the country’s most prolific walking captain and hard-hitting batsman, took a bow while most Australians were asleep with an incentive to slip first.

Warner has spoken during his farewell Twenty20 World Cup of his relief at soon emerging from the spotlight, frustrated by the never-ending aftermath of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.

But even he wouldn’t have wanted the low-key nature of his final farewell in Australia’s Super Eight defeat by India.

This was a far cry from the furore that accompanied Warner’s final Test at the SCG, which included a nearly week-long saga over his missing Baggy Green cap.

It was also a far cry from his ODI exit, where he was celebrating a second World Cup title.

Instead, this was in front of a half-full Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia as Australia fought to keep their T20 World Cup alive.

Back home, he was discharged at 2.40am on a Tuesday on the East Coast, which was hardly prime time for even the most dedicated cricket fan.

The Australian batsman made minimal impact as his country succumbed to defeat against India

And for the first time, this World Cup was not broadcast on free television, but locked behind a paywall with the streaming service Amazon Prime.

With Australia chasing 206 for victory, the 37-year-old smashed his second ball through cover and blasted a shot from underneath for four.

Even after Australia were defeated by 24 runs and he left the ground for the last time, Warner still didn’t know if his international career was over.

Instead, the match ended at the team’s hotel, watching as Afghanistan dramatically triumphed over Bangladesh to seal their place in the semi-finals ahead of Australia.

Meanwhile, Warner’s Ashes foe Stuart Broad was celebrating his 38th birthday somewhere in England as the Australian batsman toiled in his final international match.

Warner finishes as Australia’s second most prolific run-scorer in history across all formats, with 18,995 runs, behind only Ricky Ponting’s 27,483.

As an opener, he remains unparalleled: Australia’s most prolific in Test and T20 cricket, while second only to Adam Gilchrist in ODIs.

Ironically, his final match coincided with the 38th birthday of his Ashes rival, Stuart Broad

The left-hander burst onto the scene as a first-of-its-kind player, shooting 89 off 43 balls against South Africa at the MCG.

He now finishes as one of only five players to become world champions in Test, ODI and T20 cricket, completing the sport’s triple crown in England last year.

The left-hander will continue in Twenty20 franchise competitions and should be back in the Big Bash League with Sydney Thunder next summer.