Australia def Pakistan by eight wickets as David Warner hits half-century in dream farewell
Hours after more than 20,000 fans who turned out to farewell David Warner had left the SCG, the retiring Aussie opener shared a special moment with his teammates. WATCH HERE.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
David Warner ended his Test career as he started it – bludgeoning Australia to victory with a unique brand of batting dominance that may not be emulated.
The ageing Bull returned to the halcyon Warner of his prime, wiping Pakistan out of the third Test to score a fitting half century in his final innings and hand his side a 3-0 clean-sweep.
When Usman Khawaja was trapped lbw by Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan, a Warnerless Australia might have been slightly nervous at 1-0 chasing 130 for victory on a tricky SCG wicket.
But in the space of a few overs, Warner killed the contest as only he can and the hosts finished convincing eight-wicket victors.
Australia will miss Warner’s aggression and ability to dictate the course of a match.
Warner smashed 57 off 75 balls, including seven boundaries – combining in a 119-run match-winning partnership with Marnus Labuschagne (62 not out) in his 112th and final Test match.
“We’re in the entertainment business and I’m just happy to come out here and and showcase what I try to do all the time,” Warner told Fox Cricket.
“I tried to play my shots and go out the way I like to play.”
Labuschagne was superb in his own right, producing his best Test innings for some time.
Pakistan resumed day four seven wickets down following the Josh Hazlewood blitzkrieg the night before, and it didn’t take long for Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to mop up the tail midway through the first session and bowl the visitors out for 129.
Warner should have been given out lbw for 53 after being trapped in front by Sajid, but he escaped on umpire’s call after a poor call from the on-field official.
A desperate Sajid eventually got his man though, overturning another incorrect umpiring call to get Warner lbw with only 11 runs needed for victory.
Every single member of the Pakistan team – and Labuschagne – congratulated Warner as he walked from the field to a standing ovation.
As much as the hero would have loved to have hit the winning runs, it was a nice moment that he would share a warm embrace with Steve Smith on the boundary line, before the new batter came to replace him in the middle.
They have been the cornerstone of Australian batting for so long and have ridden all the highs and lows of their careers together.
Smith and Warner might be different people, but there is great respect.
A healthy crowd of 24,220 turned out for Warner’s farewell innings, but it’s reasonable to suggest another 10,000 could have been added had Hazlewood not effectively knocked out Pakistan the previous night by taking three wickets in the second last over.
Warner embraced opening partner and life-long teammate Khawaja one last time on the boundary rope before stepping into the arena for a swansong to remember.
Pakistan formed a guard of honour for him for the second time in the Test and he graciously thanked their skipper Shan Masood as he passed through it.
A ‘Thanks Davey’ tribute was etched in chalk on the outfield and Warner walked over it to stride to the middle to begin the run-chase that sees him exit the game on a high.
Four hours after play, Warner was given the honour to sing the team song out in the middle of the SCG.Team song custodian Nathan Lyon introduced the song and then handed over to Warner to belt out the raucous tune for the last time, before being embraced by teammates.
Warner has now retired from Test and one-day cricket but intends to lead Australia into the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June.
A lovely touch. David Warner gets to lead the team song after what will be his final Test win as an Australian cricketer #AusvPakpic.twitter.com/tEO72csFY5
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 6, 2024
The man they call ‘The Bull’ only needs to play one more T20 international and he will join Virat Kohli and Ross Taylor as the only player in history to play 100 matches across all three formats of the game.
As far as Australia is concerned, Warner is the greatest all-format player of all.
Warner’s free-wheeling ways also brought the best out in Labuschagne, who broke out of a rut of sorts.
Labuschagne looked his confident and in command best as he also pushed the scoring rate, smashing nine boundaries.
The day 4 triumph ensured Australia’s return to the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings.
After losing their ICC No.1 ranking following the drawn Ashes series in England, the world Test champions have leapfrogged India back into first and will consolidate that position following their 3-0 series victory over Pakistan.
For Cummins, it’s another achievement for a team that has conquered almost everything before it in the past 12 months.
“If someone’s going to rank us, it’s probably a good place to be ranked,” Cummins said.
“I think it’s a good nod to what the group’s been able to achieve over the last couple of years really, played some awesome cricket basically all around the world.
“It’s a pretty special group to have World Test Championship, Ashes and be ranked number one. Those kinds of acknowledgments shows that we’ve done something right.”
— with Lachlan McKirdy
RE-LIVE THE ACTION FROM OUR BLOG TODAY
By Joe Barton
STUMPS: AUSTRALIA SEAL EIGHT-WICKET WIN, CLEAN SWEEP
Australia has completed the clean sweep.
Marnus Labuschagne hits the winning runs to ice the eight-wicket win and send David Warner into retirement as a winner.
Warner was so very nearly there at the finish line, falling with just 11 runs remaining, after posting the final half-century of his career.
Labuschagne finishes unbeaten on 62, with Steve Smith alongside him.
To wrap this match up shortly after lunch on the fourth day is fairly remarkable considering how this game was placed – with only 15 wickets having fallen just prior to lunch on day three.
But the wicket came to life, and Australia’s bowlers made the most of it – notably Josh Hazlewood and his triple-wicket maiden.
1.42PM: WICKET! WARNER DISMISSED JUST SHY OF VICTORY
It’s over – David Warner finishes his career on a DRS call, having brought Australia to within 11 runs of victory.
He falls victim to Sajid Khan, who traps him in front and earns the wicket after a review.
Warner goes for 57 and receives one final standing ovation from the crowd, after getting a hug or a handshake from every member of the Pakistan team.
Australia will win this match, but Warner will not be able to hit the winning runs.
It’s an emotional walk back to the grandstand, for the final time as a Test batsman. But it has still been David Warner’s day.
1.39PM: MARNUS HITS 50, DEFICIT DOWN TO 11
Marnus brings up his 19th 50 in Test match cricket, and his second in this Test.
He had a down 2023, but this has been the most fluid innings his placed in some time. He’s started 2024 on the right path and perhaps he’s gunning for that No.1 Test batting ranking once again.
Australia’s required runs is down to just 11.
1.30PM: AUSTRALIA 20 RUNS FROM VICTORY
They’re coming quickly now, as Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner rattle off the runs required for victory.
Australia is now just 20 runs shy of a clean sweep victory – and the perfect ending for Warner’s career.
The pair have put on 110 runs, and Labuschagne is on the verge joining Warner in notching a half-century.
The party is about to begin.
“He’s going to end his career as he wants it, on his terms. Hopefully he’s there at the end,” says Mark Waugh.
1.20PM: WARNER SAVED BY DRS, DROPPED CATCH
With 27 runs remaining, Pakistan have had one more crack at turning party-pooper in David Warner’s farewell.
He’s trapped in front by Sajid Khan, on 53, and Pakistan think they have their man. They call for a review, and it looks close… but DRS rules that it is only clipping the top of the stumps, and so is saved by umpire’s call.
In the very same over, captain Shan Masood spills a catchable offering from Warner - and it’s been that sort of series.
When it’s your day, it’s your day.
1.15PM: WARNER CLOSES IN ON DREAM EXIT
Welcome back for the final session of David Warner’s career.
There’s 39 runs to go for an Australian team chasing a series whitewash against a valiant Pakistan.
David Warner is still there, and while a farewell century is beyond him he could still drag Australia to another victory.
And potentially the winning runs, too.
12:55PM: WARNER’S REPLACEMENT DEBATE CONTINUES TO RAGE
The hottest topic in cricket, who is Australia’s next opener after David Warner retires, continues to set the agenda, with one of cricket’s most respected voices posing some doubt on Steve Smith offering up his services at the top of the order.
Fox Cricket’s Ian Smith baulked at the possibility, wondering whether it would work.
“Say he failed four or five times in a row, what then? You drop him back to 4?” Smith posed at lunch break.
However the possibility of a move against a weaker opposition like the West Indies could be the right platform for the Aussie great.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has repeatedly backed Cam Green to take on the job, but did say Smith could thrive at the top.
“If someone sticks their hand up I think Australia have to listen.” Vaughan said.
“Maybe Steve Smith needs a new challenge.”
Until the West Indies series begins, all we can do is watch and wait.
12.31PM: LUNCH! AUSTRALIA CLOSE IN ON WIN TO FAREWELL WARNER
That’s lunch! Australia is just 39 runs from victory, and it’s been a dream day for David Warner.
He’s unbeaten on 52 and has received three standing ovations for his final Test innings.
They cheered when he walked out to bat, again when he brought up his final half-century and once more when he walked off undefeated for lunch.
It’s been a classic Warner innings, fighting hard on a crumbling pitch but constantly pushing the tempo.
He’s added 91 with Marnus Labuschagne, who is on 34, after Australia lost Usman Khawaja for a duck.
Join us after the lunch break for the thrilling conclusion to Warner’s final Test.
12.28PM: WARNER NOTCHES FAIRYTALE 50 IN FINAL INNINGS
He gets there with a quick single worked off his pads behind square.
It’s a muted celebration, but he gets a hug from Marnus Labuschagne and acknowledges his teammates and the fans around the ground.
It’s been a terrific innings on what could’ve been a tricky runchase, knocking the half-century over at almost a run a ball.
And don’t the crowd love him for it.
“He wrote this script… it’s a standing ovation for a half-century,” says Kerry O’Keeffe.
12.19PM: PAKISTAN BURN REVIEW ON MARNUS
When you’re defending a small total like the 130 Pakistan has in front of them, everything has to go right for you.
But it’s just not right now. Tough chances are being put down, balls are bouncing favourably for the Australians, and now a close call goes against the tourists as they chase a second wicket.
Sajid Khan hopes he has Marnus caught behind, and pushes through a review, but it whistles past the bat.
One review burnt. Australia are just 60 from victory. It’s looking dire for Pakistan.
12.05PM: IS SMITH THE RIGHT CALL AS WARNER REPLACEMENT?
David Warner has raced to 32, and Australia needs just a further 81 runs to secure victory.
But looking ahead, for a moment, how do we feel about the Steve Smith option as Warner’s replacement at the top of the order?
Smith himself is open to the move, though not everyone is as keen on it. Former selector Mark Waugh is reluctant to move Smith from the middle order, but concedes it could be a role Smith could make his own.
“He seems like he’s in a bit of a rut at the moment Steve Smith. He’s certainly not playing the way he’d like to,” Waugh said.
“Opening, I’m not sure. Is he going to be in for the long haul? Do we then look for another opener if he retires in 12 months time?
“I’m not sure about that. I’d prefer to go with a younger player. I’ve said Cameron Green would be my choice.
“It’s a tricky one for selectors, there’s no standout there. But maybe… he can bat anywhere, Steve Smith.”
We’ll find out in a few weeks when Australia plays the West Indies in a two-Test series.
11.50AM: DROPPED! WARNER GETS LIFE IN AGGRESSIVE START
He’s going to go out with a bang, that’s for sure.
David Warner is on the charge in pursuit of this small target, racing to 25 in quick time – but he’s riding his luck, skying a tough chance off Sajid Khan.
Aamir Jamal, running backwards from mid-on, makes a big dive but the ball evades his outstretched hand.
“That’s why he’s one of the modern greats. 23 off 22, on this track, on a fourth day…” said Pakistan great Wasim Akram last over.
But the target is getting trimmed quickly. Australia are now 92 from victory.
11.40AM: WARNER’S REGRET: ‘IF I HAD MY TIME AGAIN…’
David Warner is trying to write his farewell script here – he’s 15 not out, and desperately trying to dictate terms of this chase against Pakistan.
But if he had his time again, he’d rewrite a decent chunk of his career, too.
The Aussie attack dog will retire as one of the country’s best ever batsmen, but following a career regularly laced with controversy, he says he just hopes to have won back the trust of the Australian public.
“Over the years I know I haven’t been everyone’s cup of tea but for me I’ve played the game as hard as I can and to the best of my ability. Hopefully I’ve regained that trust in everyone,” Warner said on Fox Cricket.
A lot of people don’t get to see or get to know the person. What you see on the field, from when I first started I was that chirpy little fella out there – and that was my role in the team, to go out there and get underneath the opposition’s skin.
“Your first impression… you don’t get a second chance at that. I’ve tried to rebuild that trust and faith.
“I went two years when I was being called the Reverand – I stopped drinking for two and a half years and I really enjoyed that time. But I think people wanted the old Bull back.
“For me it was going out there and playing with pride and passion, and there’s other ways to go about it.
“I’ve toned it down a hell of a lot and that’s the real person that I am. If I had my time again, I’d probably show a bit more patience with my tongue and I’d bite it a little bit more.”
11.27AM: WICKET! KHAWAJA FALLS IN FIRST OVER
Oh wow! An absolute dream start for Pakistan, and a nightmare for Usman Khawaja – after taking the strike to open up the second innings, Khawaja is dismissed for a duck inside the first over and Australia are 1-0.
He’s trapped LBW by Sajid Khan, a tight call which he immediately reviews. It’s umpire’s call on both impact and ball-tracking, but that is not enough to overturn the on-field decision.
That target of 130 is going to look bigger and bigger with every wicket that falls.
Marnus Labuschagne joins Warner at the crease.
11.23AM: WARNER TIME! RETIRING STAR GETS HEROES WELCOME
David Warner has walked out for his final Test innings.
It’s an emotional occasion at the SCG, as Warner touches the Phil Hughes plaque just outside the team dressing room before sharing a long hug with his mate, Usman Khawaja.
Pakistan are waiting with a guard of honour, and there’s a shake of the hand with Pakistan captain Shan Masood, before a further congratulations from the umpires.
The stage is set. Can Warner give the crowd a special memory? Australia need 130 for victory.
11.15AM: ALL OUT! AUSTRALIA TO CHASE 130 FOR VICTORY
That’s it! Nathan Lyon finishes with three, bowling Hasan Ali for five to bring Pakistan’s innings to a close.
Pakistan are all out for 115, setting Australia a victory target of 130.
That sets the scene perfectly for David Warner – can he steer Australia to one last win? Another clean sweep?
It’s his time. It’s his day.
11.00AM: WICKET! JAMAL FALLS, PAKISTAN IN TROUBLE
One brings two!
This time it is Aamir Jamal who falls the over after Rizwan, he goes for 18, again falling for the Australian trap.
They put a man on the square leg boundary and Pat Cummins has Jamal pulling for six – but he didn’t quite middling it, and Travis Head takes a simple outfield catch.
That double blow has put the clamps on this innings, and Pakistan’s lead of 123 is now looking quite skinny.
Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza in the middle now.
10.55AM: WICKET! LYON GETS THE BREAKTHROUGH
The GOAT strikes. Mohammad Rizwan departs for 28, ending a hugely valuable 42 run partnership.
The plan works, with Rizwan tickling a straight one down to David Warner at leg slip.
The Aussies erupt. They needed to wake the crowd up a bit, and that’s done it.
Pakistan leads by 123.
10.50AM: PAKISTAN ‘TAKE THE WIND OUT OF AUSSIE SAILS’
Pat Cummins has been busy this morning, moving the field around, trying bowling changes.
He’s even brought himself back into the attack.
But none of it is working. This pair has now added 41 for the eighth wicket, extended the lead to 122. And it’s officially in dangerous territory for Australia.
“They’ve taken the wind out of the sails of the Ausssies,” says Mark Waugh.
Having thrown the ball to Hazlewood, Lyon, Head and himself, is it going to be all that long before we see Mitchell Starc?
10.40AM: AUSSIES DEPLOY DOUBLE-SPIN ATTACK
We got four overs of Josh Hazlewood, without the fireworks of last evening, before Pat Cummins turned to a two-pronged spin attack to get the most out of this pitch.
Travis Head has replaced Hazlewood. He had success last night to get Babar Azam out caught behind, and with the pitch taking a lot of turn, Cummins is rolling with a dual Head-Nathan Lyon spinning combination to get the breakthrough.
The lead, however, has grown past 100. Pakistan leads by 104 now.
10.30AM: PAKISTAN MAKE BRIGHT START
It is hard going, but Pakistan are doing everything they need right now.
Between Rizwan and Jamal, they’ve added 13 runs to the overnight score – nudging that lead towards the century mark.
It’s 95 at the moment, still with three wickets in hand. With every run that is scored, Pakistan creep closer to a mark that could worry Australia.
“The main point for me is you can see it’s very, very crumbly, Nathan Lyon be licking his lips, as will the Pakistani bowlers,” says former Australian coach Justin Langer on Channel 7.
“Interestingly enough, it was Josh Hazlewood who took those wickets yesterday, Pakistan will be attacking the stumps and it will spin… every run Pakistan can get will be vital.”
10.10AM: THE STATS THAT GIVE PAKISTAN HOPE
- LACHLAN MCKIRDY
After Josh Hazlewood’s devastating spell late on day three, Pakistan crumbled to 7-68 with a lead of just 82 going into Saturday morning.
And while the result looks to be heavily in Australia’s favour, history shows that chasing any sort of total at the SCG has never been straightforward.
Only four times this century has a team chased a total of 100+ runs in the fourth innings and won at the SCG. And no team has successfully chased a total in the fourth innings at the ground since 2013 when Australia ran down Sri Lanka with 5-141.
While it’s unlikely to get that far, only five times in history has a team successfully chased down a total of 200 runs or more at the ground. The last of which was the highest chase at the ground, Australia’s 2-288 against South Africa in January 2006.
Highest fourth innings run chases at the SCG
Australia - 2/288 v South Africa in January 2006
Australia 4/276 v England in February 1898
Australia 8/275 v England in December 1907
Australia 6/260 v New Zealand in November 1985
Australia 4/219 v England in December 1980
Australia 5/214 v England in February 1947
10.00AM: HAZLEWOOD GETS THINGS GOING ON DAY FOUR
Here we go. Josh Hazlewood, last night’s hero, will take the ball to start things off. He has 4-9 from his five overs.
Pakistan, holding onto an 82 run lead, desperately need a partnership. Rizwan and Jamal, who were Pakistan’s highest runscorers in the first innings, are in the middle.
Can they conjure something special? And will Australia revert to their preferred plan of short-pitched bowling at the tail?
You’d say surely not, considering how ruthless Hazlewood was when he hit the right areas late last night.
But we’re about to find out.
9.45AM: GHOSTS OF CHASES PAST…
It seems likely that Australia will be chasing a modest victory target today – it would take an extraordinary effort for Pakistan to add another 120, and push their lead beyond 200.
But that doesn’t mean anyone in the Australian camp is taking it lightly.
You don’t need to look far for a reminder of what can happen on this ground with a small target.
In 1994 an Australian team boasting greats Mark Taylor, David Boon and Mark Waugh, and led by Allan Border, was set a target of 117.
“We got bowled out for 111,” said Waugh on Fox Cricket.
“But the thing is can Pakistan make another 60 runs?”
9.30AM: GLORIOUS SUNSHINE FOR WARNER DAY 2.0
Hello from the SCG where it is a beautiful sunny day, with the ground starting to fill up with an expectant crowd hoping for a dream David Warner farewell.
Australia finished day three in extraordinary fashion, ripping the guts out of Pakistan’s middle order and putting their victory plans firmly on ice.
Josh Hazlewood’s triple-wicket maiden was the cherry on top of a staggering final session in which Australia, firstly, conceded a 14-run first-innings lead and then ran riot thereafter – reducing Pakistan to 7-68 at stumps in a frenetic final hour.
What will happen today? Well, the pitch quickly transitioned from ‘bowlers’ graveyard’ to ‘complete minefield’ at some point yesterday, so anything could happen.
Pakistan holds an 82-run lead and will do everything within their power to stretch that, with their final three wickets, to a target of 150.
After which it will be Australia’s chance to chase a clean sweep and the ideal Warner send off.
We’ll be here all the way.
9:00AM THE SUN SHINES OVER THE SCG - FOR NOW!
With just a bit over an hour before play starts, the sun is out and the SCG is looking a picture.
The forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology is for a cloudy day with just a 20 per cent chance of rain over Sydney so we will get a result today ... guaranteed!
HAZLEWOOD SETS IDEAL TARGET FOR TRICKY CHASE
— Tim Michell
Josh Hazlewood has set a target of bowling Pakistan out with a lead of less than 130 as Australia looks to clinch a 3-0 series victory on day four at the SCG.
The match situation could not be set up more perfectly for David Warner, who is all but certain to play his last Test innings on Saturday.
Pakistan crashed from 2-58 to 7-68 in a chaotic finish to the third day as Hazlewood took three wickets in an over after Travis Head and Nathan Lyon exposed the visitors’ soft underbelly.
“As we have seen with the wicket, it’s quite tough. Under 100 would be outstanding but anything under 130 I think would be ideal,” Hazlewood told Fox Cricket.
Hazlewood said Warner would be “obviously key” to Australia’s chances of capping a hard-fought series in style.
“He’s always nice in these sort of chases to get a quick 40 or 50 and really blunt the attack straight away as we have seen for the best part of 10 or 12 years now. He’s obviously key in that chase,” he said.
Just don’t expect Pat Cummins to call on Warner for a bowl.
“Maybe at 10 and 11 if we have got them in together,” Hazlewood said.
More Coverage
Originally published as Australia def Pakistan by eight wickets as David Warner hits half-century in dream farewell
‘Very rare’: Green makes T20 presence felt
Already a bona fide Test star and having plundered through the IPL, Cameron Green is showing his all-round abilities are key to the rebuilding Australian T20 team.
Aussies secure series whitewash after gun all-rounder’s career-best masterclass
Australia has secured a 3-0 series whitewash over Scotland following Cameron Green’s all-round heroics during the third T20I at The Grange on Saturday.