David Warner announces immediate ODI retirement

David Warner has dropped a bomb on the Australian cricket team, announcing his immediate retirement from ODI cricket.

David Warner has announced his immediate retirement from ODI cricket.

The Australian opener has dropped a bomb on his team by announcing the decision four weeks before he was expected to feature in Australia’s ODI series against the West Indies, beginning February 2.

The news comes as Warner prepares for his final Test Match when Australia takes on Pakistan in the New Year’s Test at the SCG beginning Wednesday.

Having announced his ODI retirement on Monday, Warner will — if selected — have just three more T20I matches on home soil — on top of this week's Third Test against Pakistan.

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He made an emotional farewell to fans at the Boxing Day Test last week, waving to the crowd as he walked off the MCG for the final time in his Test career.

Warner told journalists during Monday’s Pink Test media event that he has left the door open for an unlikely return for the Champions Trophy in 2025. Warner will be 39 years old when the tournament is held.

Australia's David Warner announces ODI retirement. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images.

Warner had repeatedly signalled he would not pursue to extend his ODI career beyond this summer, instead focusing on playing the international T20 circuit.

“I’m feeling great,” Warner said on Monday.

“It’s a great decision I think I’ve made. I’ve got to give back to the family and also on the back of that I think I’m definitely retiring from one-day cricket as well. That was something I had said through the World Cup, get through that and winning that in India is a massive achievement.

“I make that decision as well today to retire from those forms, which does allow me to play in some other leagues around the world and sort of get the one-day team moving forward a little bit. I know there’s a Champions Trophy coming up and if I’m playing decent cricket still in two years’ time and they need someone, I’m going to be available.”

David Warner before Monday morning’s team photo ahead of the Third Test. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images.

David Warner acknowledges the crowd. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

He gave contrasting suggestions in November when saying he would not look for a central contract with Cricket Australia for 2024, despite also saying he wants to be playing all the way through to the T20 World Cup being staged in the United States in June.

Australian Cricketers’ Association boss Todd Greenberg said last week he supported Warner’s decision to prioritise domestic T20 cricket competitions.

“There’s no doubt in the next phase of Dave’s life he’s going to be looking to ply his trade where he gets the best return on his investment,’ Greenberg told SEN on Thursday.

“There will be times where he’ll be looking to miss certain games and tours; that’s the sort of flexibility we’ve got to get our heads around.

“Some people won’t like that, but that’s the modern world in which we’re living and we’ve got to embrace it.”

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has praised Warner ahead of his final Test.

“Congratulations to David on an amazing Test career,” Hockley said in a Cricket Australia statement.

“We are all extremely grateful for his immense contribution to this form of the game.

“David’s wonderful attacking style not only played a vital role in many Australian victories, it also enthralled and entertained fans across the world and drew many to Test cricket.

“I’m sure David’s home crowd will give him a tremendous farewell at the SCG, and we all look forward to him continuing to be a valuable contributor to Australia’s white ball campaigns.”

Originally published as David Warner announces immediate ODI retirement