David Warner bid an emotional farewell to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as he played his final Test innings, receiving a heartfelt standing ovation. Unfortunately, the left-hander could only muster six runs in Australia’s second innings during the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.
Mir Hamza dismissed Warner with a well-directed shorter delivery that induced an inside edge, crashing onto the middle stump. Despite his disappointment over the dismissal, Warner’s connection with the MCG was evident.
The crowd’s response moved him, prompting him to wave his bat in acknowledgment and offer a thumbs-up. In a heartwarming gesture, Warner handed his batting gloves to an excited young fan eagerly awaiting a high-five from the veteran Australian batter.
WATCH – MS Dhoni’s Signature Hairstyle: A Style Icon’s One-Hour Struggle Revealed
Having made his international debut at the MCG in a T20I against South Africa in 2009, Warner has played 11 Test matches at this iconic venue, amassing 912 runs and scoring three centuries. His notable performance at the MCG came last year when he notched up a double century against South Africa.
At the ground where he scored 912 Test runs, and made his T20I debut all those years, David Warner bids farewell to the MCG for one final time #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/0XQ6O74meH
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2023
In the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, Warner began with a stunning century in the first Test in Perth, contributing significantly to Australia’s massive 360-run victory. However, his contributions in Melbourne were modest, with scores of 38 and 6.
The left-hander will conclude his Test career with the upcoming match in Sydney, scheduled to start on January 3, at his home ground. Meanwhile, Australia faced a challenging session against Pakistan after Pat Cummins’ five-wicket haul helped dismiss the visitors for 264.
ALSO READ: Sanjay Bangar Defends Prasidh Krishna’s Test Performance, Draws Parallels With Bumrah
Despite Cummins’ brilliance, Pakistan’s tail wagged, narrowing the hosts’ first-innings lead to 54. In a dramatic turn, Australia lost Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne quickly, ending the morning session at 6-2. The defiant Pakistan team battled hard to stay competitive in the second Test, setting the stage for an intriguing continuation.
