‘I love him’: David Warner reflects on ‘fairytale’ friendship with Usman Khawaja

David Warner broke down and shed tears at his retirement press conference as he reflected on his 31-year friendship with Usman Khawaja.

David Warner broke down and shed tears at his retirement press conference – not about himself but about his 31-year union with Usman Khawaja.

“I love him, hey,” Warner managed to get out as he was suddenly overcome with emotion in his farewell press conference.

It is extraordinary that a partnership that began as six-year-olds mucking around the boundary of their brothers’ cricket games has endured over three decades to the heights that they will walk onto the SCG together on Wednesday for Warner’s farewell Test.

In different ways Warner and Khawaja have endured challenging trials throughout their respective careers, and it’s clear they have always had each other’s backs and share one of the most unique bonds Australian cricket has ever produced.

David Warner cut an emotional figure at his retirement press conference. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I was saying to Uzzie this morning when we were out in the middle (at training), with his debut Test I was actually sitting up in one of the boxes up there and it was awesome to see,” Warner said.

“It’s a fairytale ending.

“I don’t know too many cricketers who have gone through junior cricket with each other and played the highest level for a long period of time.

“Just to see him come back the way he has the last two years has been absolutely amazing.

“I know his family are really, really proud of him. I’m really, really proud of him as a mate.

“It brought a tear to my eye when he scored that hundred when he came back (two years’ ago in the Ashes).

“When you’re childhood friends dreaming big and you get to go out here at the SCG, it’s fitting.”

Usman Khawaja and David Warner playing for South Eastern junior reps team aged 14, third and second from right front row.

Warner went through 13 opening batting partners throughout his career, but the final chapter he has found his soulmate in Khawaja.

The significance is not lost on Khawaja, who treasures the rarity of reaching the top level with the kid he first cut his teeth with as a junior.

The kid Khawaja’s mother affectionately nicknamed “Shaitan” – translation: “The devil.”

“I always thought I was more emotional than he was about it. I look back on it and I think how bizarre it is, how odd it is,” Khawaja told this masthead.

“Our two brothers played cricket together, that’s how we met when we were six years old, and then we played against each other. I was playing for Randwick, he was playing for Coastal.

“I still remember playing against him. Then we eventually both starting playing rep cricket for South Eastern from under 10s to 16. It’s pretty special.

“To actually go through all that junior development and then make it to the top and then to finish off his Test career and be beside him (struggles to find words) … I’m sure this will be a pretty cool moment for both of us. Especially him, because he deserves this.”

Usman Khawaja and David Warner at the Gabba in the latter’s Test debut. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Khawaja and Warner at the SCG ahead of the latter’s final Test. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Khawaja’s Queensland teammate Matthew Renshaw is a strong contender to take over from Warner, as is his Victorian Marcus Harris.

Cameron Green has also been touted as a left-field option to be parachuted to the unfamiliar position at the top of the order to replace Warner.

Khawaja said the first thing Australia must do after this Test is accept that Warner cannot be replaced.

“You can’t replace Justin Langer with another Justin Langer. It’s not possible. You can’t replace Matthew Hayden with another Matthew Hayden. Just like you can’t replace a David Warner with another David Warner, that’s just not logical,” Khawaja said.

“Test cricket is tough work. Nothing is guaranteed.

“I’ve said to Dave for the last year, people don’t realise what they have until it’s gone. And I think that’s what they’ll feel like with Davey once he’s gone.”

Originally published as ‘I love him’: David Warner reflects on ‘fairytale’ friendship with Usman Khawaja