"Hope His Critics Acknowledge his Talent and Forgive his Human Frailties': Greg Chappell Ahead of David Warner's Final Test At SCG

The curtains will come down on what has been an illustrious career for David Warner in the longest format of the game. The opening batter has decided to call time on his red-ball game as he is set to retire from the format after the final Test against Pakistan at his home ground in Sydney.

However, there was criticism regarding the selection of Warner in the Test squad. 2023 was not his best year as per the high standards set by the batter himself. He has only scored two half-centuries in the year which came during the Ashes and a single century which was scored during the first Test against Pakistan not too long ago.

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Former players like Mitchell Johnson were critical of Australia giving Warner the option of a farewell Test in Sydney, a luxury many players did not have. Even Ed Cowan went out to call Warner ‘a walking wicket’ in reference to Warner’s run of bad form.

However, the legendary player, Greg Chappell believes that Warner is worthy of a fairytale farewell. In his column at the Sydney Morning Herald, Chappell wrote,” Warner’s role in the success of Australian cricket during his time cannot be underestimated. In the modern era, only Virender Sehwag has been more damaging than Warner as an opener. It is rare to have someone at the top of the order who intimidates even the fastest opposition bowlers.”

Some of the major honours Warner has amassed for Australia include the 2015 ODI World Cup, 2021 T20 World Cup, World Test Championship in 2023 and most recently the 2023 ODI World Cup.

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Johnson even went on to say in his column that Warner did not own up to the ball-tampering scandal he was involved in 2018.

Chappell also mentioned in his column regarding the scandal where opines,” David will never live down the “Sandpaper Gate” incident. That scar on Australian cricket needs to be owned by a lot more people than Warner and Bancroft.”

Chappell went on to conclude his piece by asking people to forgive the batter’s shortcomings and to acknowledge the contributions he has made so far in his career. He added, “I know how hard it is to do what he has done through 111 Tests, so I hope that David’s harshest critics acknowledge his talent and contribution and forgive his human frailties.”

David Warner will don the whites one last time for Australia with the final Test taking place at his home ground the SCG where he will take on Pakistan in the final match of the Benaud-Qadir trophy and will look to go out in style.