Australia vs Pakistan SCG Test live: Warner falls as Aussies secure victory

David Warner has walked off the SCG for the final time as a Test cricketer - and may have said too much on his way out.

Australia has completed a clean sweep against Pakistan on day four of the third Test against Pakistan at the SCG, sending out David Warner on a high.

Josh Hazlewood’s three wicket maiden in the penultimate over of day three left Pakistan battling on a tough SCG pitch.

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While a 42-run stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Aamir Jamal threatened to set a tricky chase for Australia, two wickets for Nathan Lyon and another for Pat Cummins wrapped up the innings for 115.

It left Australia needing 130 to win and after losing Usman Khawaja LBW in the first over, it was looking to be a challenging total.

But as he has throughout his career and for the final time, Warner took on the Pakistan attack, blasting 57 in a 119-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne to put the game beyond doubt.

While Warner was dismissed with 11 runs needed, Labuschagne (62 not out) and Steve Smith (4 not out) ticked off the final runs.

The story was Warner however, who finished his Test career in brilliant scenes.

2.30pm AEDT - Warner spills the beans as he bows out a winner

As Day 4 of this Test match was about to get underway, Warner spoke about how a self-imposed drinking ban of more than two years helped change his approach to the latter stages of his career.

So his final on-field interview as a Test cricketer, after his half-century helped Australia cruise to an eight-wicket win, raised eyebrows as he recalled his start to the day.

“A casual walk up to the local cafe and get a coffee with the young one, and then I got into the car and packed a wine or two,” Warner said.

“I shouldn’t say that too loud. I’ll get in trouble.

David Warner in his post-match interview at the SCG. Photo: Fox Sports

“I felt happy and really proud. To come here in front of your home crowd with the support they have shown me and the Australian cricket team over my last decade of my career, I can’t thank them enough.

“Without you guys we can’t do what we do and it’s much appreciated.”

Pat Cummins, who was named player of the series, also had a little dig at the attention that has followed Warner in a post-match interview.

“Yeah I heard it’s Davey’s last Test match, apparently,” he said tongue-in-cheek.

“It’s going to be hard to replace Davey. He’s basically played every game for the last dozen years, has a huge personality, he really sets the game up with the way he plays.

“He’s going to be huge to replace.”

Warner survived a number of chances in his final Test innings. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

2pm AEDT - Australia stroll to victory as Warner bows out

Warner wasn’t quite there at the end, with Steve Smith stepping in to help Australia reach the victory target of 130 from just 25.5 overs.

But the retiring opener was still the focus of attention, bowing out with a typical half-century and a series sweep.

“It’s pretty much a dream come true,” Warner said on Fox Cricket. “To win 3-0 and cap off what’s been a great 18 months for the Australian cricket team.

“I’m just proud to be with a bunch of great cricketers here.

“We’re in the entertainment business and I’m just happy show what I try to do every time.

“I tried to play my shots and we managed to get the win, which is great.”

Game Over For The Game Changer#AUSvPAK#AUSvsPAK#WTC25#DavidWarnerpic.twitter.com/LHu0FNrK3h

— 𝐙𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐈 ذیشان 𝐈 ज़ीशान 𝟐.0 (@zeeshan_naiyer2) January 6, 2024

Asked how he’d like to be remembered, Warner used the word “exciting”.

Marnus Labuschagne finished 62 not out, with Smith on 4 in Australia’s 2/130.

Aamer Jamal, who was strangely barely used in Australia’s second innings, was named man of the match after his 82 in Pakistan’s first knock and 6-96 in the home side’s first effort with the bat.

Pat Cummins, who made key breakthroughs with the ball all series long, took player of the series honours.

David Warner walks off after being dismissed for the final time in Test cricket. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

1.40pm AEDT - Warner falls just short of the fairytale

With just 11 runs needed for victory, it seemed Warner was in position to hit the winning runs and celebrate his Test retirement in the best way possible.

Then Sajid Khan stepped in.

It felt like the visitors were reviewing just about every second delivery as they desperately chased a breakthrough.

Finally, they made the right call, Khan trapping Warner for 57 from 75 deliveries to reduce Australia to 2/119.

“And that’s it, that’s the finish for David Warner,” Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket as the third umpire made his decision, to the groans of the crowd.

“It was a slow, painful end for him but these are wonderful scenes here. The emotion, the passion, all coming to the fore now.

“Putting a fullstop to a remarkable career.”

Marnus Labuschagne has brought up his half-century, with Steve Smith now alongside him in the dying moments of the run chase.

David Warner hugs Usman Khawaja's mother after his last Test match. Warner and Khawaja have been friends for 31 years and Khawaja's mother calls him 'devil' ❤️❤️ #AUSvsPAKpic.twitter.com/0fBXwA4QBr

— Muhammad Tayyab (@tayyabmughal780) January 6, 2024

1.15pm AEDT - Another century partnership for Warner and Labuschagne

Resuming after lunch, Warner and Marnus Labuschagne bulldozed ahead in their chase for a series-sweeping win.

The duo brought up their seventh century partnership together as they made a mockery of a pitch expected to cause plenty of issues.

Warner survived another scare when Pakistan reviewed a not out lbw decision against the opener when he was on 53 from spinner Sajid Khan.

It was tight but it was ruled umpire’s call so the Sydneysider batted on.

Labuschagne was then dropped by Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan, with Australia moving to 1/105 and needing just 25 more runs for victory.

David Warner shakes hands with the umpire as he walks out to bat for his final Test match innings. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

12.15pm AEDT - Warner, Labuschagne push for victory

Nearing lunch on Day 4, the Australian duo of Warner and Labuschagne are guiding the hosts towards victory at a sunny SCG.

Chasing a modest 130 for a three-Test sweep, the Aussies are 1/70, with Warner unbeaten on 45 and Labuschagne with him on 24.

Warner gave a couple of half-chances early in his knock, but also scored freely in trademark style.

The 37-year-old also demonstrated retirement might be coming at the right time as an attempted reverse pull shot went horribly wrong when he was on 25, the mistimed shot falling short of keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

“Oh goodness me. This is starting to feel like a benefit match,” Ian Smith said in commentary.

David Warner celebrates his half century with Marnus Labuschagne. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Some of the tactics employed by Shan Masood have also left commentators scratching their heads as they defend the small total.

Most prominent of those is the decision not to bowl Aamer Jamal at all through the opening 17 overs.

Jamal starred in the first innings in Sydney, taking 6-69.

Australia reached 1/91 at lunch, with Warner recording his half-century as the home side cruises towards victory.

11.30am AEDT - Warner’s shot at the ultimate fairytale

Nathan Lyon took the final wicket of Pakistan’s second innings to set Australia a total of 130 for victory and a 3-0 series triumph.

That, of course, meant Warner was finally coming to the crease for the final knock cricket fans have been talking about for weeks.

“They’re on their feet now at the SCG as here comes Dave Warner,” Mark Howard said on Fox Cricket.

“In his 112th Test match, his final Test innings, with the crowd on their feet saluting the local hero.

“Brilliant scenes of love and respect at the SCG.”

There was added tension in the first over, with Usman Khawaja falling lbw before the hosts had scored to indicate the run chase may not be all that straightforward.

“Tension around the SCG, expectation, nerves, mix it all together,” Howard added before Warner picked up his first runs.

Nathan Lyon made a key breakthrough for the Aussies on day four. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

11am AEDT - Aussie’s on the verge of batting again

With expectations of quickly taking the three wickets needed to end Pakistan’s second dig, the Australians instead found a resolute visiting side early on day 4.

Mohammad Rizwan and Aamer Jamal put on 42 runs in a solid first 50 minutes of play to stretch Pakistan’s lead past three figures.

But just as the tourists were looking like building a competitive lead, Nathan Lyon struck, Rizwan caught by Warner for 28 from 57 deliveries.

Jamal then couldn’t resist a tempting ball from Pat Cummins that he lofted straight to Travis Head on the boundary to leave Australia one scalp from donning the pads again and trying to seal the series whitewash.

“Without looking like a wicket in the first 50 minutes, all of a sudden Australia have got two in the blink of an eye,” Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

“Pakistan are teetering now, 123 (runs in front), they’d love another 17, 140.”

Steve Smith could be set for a surprise move. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

10am AEDT - Ricky Ponting weighs into Steve Smith debate

With Warner retiring from the longest form of the game, there has been plenty of conjecture over who should replace him atop the order.

Opening the batting in Test cricket requires a unique skillset and mentality and a number of names have consistently been raised.

Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris, who have all had previous chances to nail down the position, are again in contention.

All-rounder Cameron Green is another name often mentioned, but the latecomer to this opening party has been Steve Smith.

Already an all-time great, Smith’s form has been patchy of late and the 34-year-old has admitted he is, um, open to the idea.

But another Aussie batting great has rubbished the suggestion.

“I wouldn’t like to see him move from his number four position, to be honest,” Ricky Ponting said on Channel 7.

“All this conversation is all about is how do we possibly get Cameron Green back into the side. And if they’re going to do it, as far as I’m concerned it has to be with the least disruption to the batting order as it is.

Ricky Ponting doesn’t want too much change atop the Aussie order. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“Smith and (Marcus) Labuschagne have been magnificent at three and four, they’ve been the backbone of Australia’s batting for the last three or four years since Labuschagne came into the team and I wouldn’t like to see that disrupted.

“Let’s wait and see. I said a few weeks ago, I think it should be Cameron Bancroft the man to get that chance.”

9.30am AEDT - Australia in prime position to sweep the series

Australia is in the box seat to sweep another home series thanks to a monster effort from Josh Hazlewood on Friday afternoon.

It was a topsy turvy day of Test cricket, with both sides getting the upper hand at different moments as the pitch began to play a few tricks.

Josh Hazlewood was on fire late on day three at the SCG. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Australia resumed its first innings on Friday at 2/116 and never really got going, losing consistent wickets to be bowled out for 299, trailing Pakistan by 14 runs.

The hosts collapsed after tea, losing four wickets for 10 runs with paceman Aamir Jamal taking 6-69. He has continued his stellar debut series to become a crowd favourite, producing moments of gold exactly when Pakistan needed them.

Pakistan slowly built on their lead in the final session with debut opener Saim Ayub doing well to score a gutsy 30.

But then Hazlewood re-entered the match. The country bred fast bowler swung the game back into Australia’s favour, finishing the day with remarkable figures of 4-9, leaving the hosts perfectly placed to complete a 3-0 series win on Saturday.

Originally published as Australia vs Pakistan SCG Test live: Warner falls as Aussies secure victory