'I'm Truly Done, Time for Youngsters to Do the Job': David Warner Hints at T20I Retirement

Bigbani

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posted on 3 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

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After collecting the Player of the Series Award at the post-match presentation, David Warner said he was done and it was time for the youngsters to grab the responsibility.

After retiring from Tests and ODI, ace Australian batter David Warner has hinted at drawing on his T20I career as well. The 37-year-old on Tuesday smashed a 49-ball 81 as West Indies set Australia to chase 221 in the third T20I in Perth. Warner played a spectacular knock which included 3 sixes and 9 boundaries. However, his efforts went in vain as the hosts fell 37 runs short of victory but pocketed the series 2-1.

Warner was adjudged the Player of the Series for finishing as the highest run-getter. The left-hander amassed 173 runs in 3 games, including a couple of half-centuries, at an average of 57.67. After collecting the award at the post-match presentation, Warner said he was done and it was time for the youngsters to grab the responsibility.

“Good to see the boys play. I’ve got a lot of time off after the next series in New Zealand before the IPL and then to get ready for the T20 World Cup. Great to spend quality time with my kids and just be home. I was surprised that an opening bowler bowling 145+ wasn’t trying to get me out. The boundaries aren’t too big in the Caribbean. I’m well and truly done, we’ve got so many youngsters, it’s time for them to do the job,” Warner said.

Earlier, Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford smashed half-centuries in a record-breaking sixth-wicket stand.

Russell destroyed the pace and spin of Adam Zampa late in the innings to score 71 off just 29 balls while Rutherford contributed 67 off 40 deliveries as West Indies posted 220-6 after winning the toss and electing to bat.

They raised the best-ever sixth-wicket stand in a T20 international by contributing an aggressive 139 runs off just 67 balls. Zampa’s penultimate over went for 28 with Russell clubbing four sixes and a four and the legspinner finished with 1-65 – the most expensive figures by an Australia in a T20I.

In reply, Warner briefly kept Australia in the hunt for a 3-0 sweep in the series with 81 off 49 balls before the home team faltered against off-spinner Roston Chase and was restricted to 183-5.

(With Agency Inputs)