David Warner praised for unnoticed classy gesture after final innings at MCG Boxing Day Test
- Warner donates gloves to young fan
- Veteran played last match at MCG
- Warner ready for final test at SCG
Australian opener David Warner has been praised for a heartwarming gesture after his final Test at the MCG, which went largely unnoticed at the time.
The experienced opener received a standing ovation from the MCG crowd after leaving the famous ground for the final time in a red-ball match for Australia in the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.
Warner was dismissed for six in the second innings after hitting 38 on day one.
As the 37-year-old left the field, he donated his gloves to a lucky youngster.
âThe legendary David Warner gave his gloves to a child,â one fan tweeted.
David Warner gifted his gloves to a young fan as he left the MCG
The experienced Australian opener received a standing ovation from the MCG crowd
“A lovely gesture by giving the gloves to a young cricket fan,” another posted.
'David Warner says his final goodbyes to the MCG and donates his gloves to the little fan. Nice gesture from Warner,â said a third.
But the farewell, which began when he announced his retirement before the World Test Championship final in June, will conclude at his home ground, the SCG, next week.
Warner has been Australia's Test opener since 2011 and has amassed 8695 runs at an average of 44.58 across 111 matches.
He has no plans to retire from international white-ball cricket, at least until after next year's Twenty20 World Cup.
But after scoring just two centuries in the last four years, Warner's Test days were clearly coming to an end.
Australia are no clearer on who will succeed Warner as Usman Khawaja's opening partner, despite the team hosting the West Indies in a two-Test series next month.
Traditional openers Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw have all previously done the job in Tests without being able to become permanent members of the XI.
Warner's final Test will take place in Sydney – the third Test of the three-match series against Pakistan
Australian greats Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey both insisted this week that the selectors should choose one of those three rather than resist the temptation to move Mitch Marsh up.
Cameron Green, who lost his spot at No. 6 to Marsh at the Ashes, has also been suggested as a possible replacement at the top for Warner.