By Justin Chadwick
David Warner has confirmed he will retire from international cricket after the T20 World Cup, but he ensured his final knock for Australia on home soil was a memorable one.
Warner was the standout Australian performer on Tuesday night as the West Indies secured a 37-run victory in the third and final T20 clash at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
David Warner bats during game three of the Men’s T20 International series between Australia and West Indies at Optus Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
The West Indies posted a monster 6-220 following blistering knocks from Andre Russell (71 off 29 balls) and Sherfane Rutherford (67no off 40 balls).
In reply, Warner overcame a scary knock to the chin to post 81 off 49 balls to give Australia a chance of victory in front of 17,018 fans.
But the loss of 3-3, in which Aaron Hardie, Warner and Josh Inglis all departed in the space of 10 balls, signalled the end of Australia’s hopes, with the home side finishing at 5-183.
The result denied Australia a clean sweep of the three-match series.
Warner retired from the Test arena in January following Australia’s series win over Pakistan.
Before Tuesday’s T20 match against the West Indies, Warner told his teammates it was his final international match in Australia.
Warner will take part in the upcoming T20 series in New Zealand and this year’s T20 World Cup before bringing his glorious international career to a close.
“I’m well and truly done. It’s time for the youngsters to come through and showcase their talent,” Warner replied when asked what he will do after the T20 World Cup.
“We’ve got extreme talent here. We’re in good stead for the future.”
Australia’s T20 captain Mitch Marsh paid tribute to Warner.
“It’s obviously been an amazing career for him,” Marsh said.
“I guess it’s kind of fitting for him to finish the way it has (with that knock).
“What a servant to Australian cricket. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a win for him.”
The West Indies crashed to 3-17 following an early onslaught from debutant paceman Xavier Bartlett (2-37).
Russell came to the crease with his team in big trouble at 5-79 in the ninth over.
He combined with Rutherford for a 139-run stand that changed the complexion of the match.
Sherfane Rutherford (67no off 40) and Andre Russell’s (71 off 29) 139-run sixth-wicket stand was the biggest ever in a T20I.
But it wasn’t until the penultimate over - bowled by Adam Zampa - when Russell took the damage to the next level.
Josh Inglis walks from the field after being dismissed by Roston Chase of the West Indies.Credit: Getty Images
Russell cracked 28 runs - including four sixes - during that devastating over.
His three consecutive sixes to finish the over came after Tim David dropped a diving catch on the boundary.
If that catch had been taken, Zampa would have had figures of 2-43 with three more balls left in his spell.
Instead, he finished with 1-65 - the most expensive figures of his 77-match T20I career.
Warner was on 21 when a rising Russell delivery crashed into the underside of his helmet grille.
The 37-year-old received on-field treatment to check for concussion or any signs of damage to his jaw, but he was given the green light to continue.
Warner cut the next ball for four, and reached his half-century in 25 balls with a big six down the ground.
But when Hardie (16 off 16) chopped Romario Shepherd onto his stumps, it triggered a collapse that Australia failed to recover from.
AAP
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