David Warner sensationally BACKTRACKS on his retirement from playing for Australia as he releases surprising statement
- Warner has made a shocking announcement on social media
- Batter says he will continue to play in the T20 circuit for a while
- It was thought he was playing his last match for his country
David Warner says he has closed ‘a chapter’ in his playing career but has spoken out again for one final international tournament next year.
The recently retired Australian season opener thanked his fans, national teammates and staff in a social media post on Monday night, but also said he is “open” to a comeback if the selection committee comes calling ahead of the Champions Trophy.
The 50-over tournament will return to Pakistan next year after an eight-year hiatus, long after Warner reportedly played his last match for his country during last month’s T20 World Cup.
Warner, who is Australia’s sixth-highest run-scorer in the format, would only be able to use franchise cricket to press his case for the tournament and would have to battle with emerging top duo Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short for a place.
Pressure is mounting on Australia’s selection committee to hand Fraser-McGurk the keys to the pinnacle of white-ball cricket after his stellar IPL campaign, which was not enough to beat Warner in last month’s T20 World Cup.
Warner, 37, would not say how long he plans to continue playing, but wrote in an Instagram post that he wants to play on the T20 circuit “for a while yet”.
“Most of my career has been at the international level. It’s an honor to be able to do this,” Warner wrote.
David Warner (pictured) has put his hand up to play another international tournament for his country after previously saying the T20 World Cup was his last hurrah
‘100+ games across all formats is my highlight. I want to thank everyone who made this possible.
‘I hope I have entertained all cricket fans and changed cricket, especially Test matches, in a way where we now score a little bit faster than others.
‘I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while and am also open to playing for Australia in the Champions Trophy if I am selected.’
The Australian cricket great has expressed interest in playing in the 2025 Champions Trophy
Australia’s limited-overs teams begin the post-Warner era in September with three T20Is against each of Scotland and England, followed by a five-match ODI series against the latter.
There will also be three home ODIs and T20Is against Pakistan in November before the summer Test series begins against India.