Ashes 2023: David Warner backs-up his 2024 retirement plans after ‘contributing well’ through series

David Warner addressed rumours he is set for imminent retirement after a modest Ashes series in which he has averaged 25.12 across four Tests. So what’s the plan?

David Warner has quashed rumours of an imminent retirement while insisting he has “contributed well” during this Ashes series.

Speaking ahead of what is set to be his final Test against England, Warner conceded he had “left a few out there” during this series but that he hadn’t been worried about getting omitted during the tour.

After three years in which he averages 28.26 across Test cricket - a period in which his 200 at the MCG against South Africa is his sole Test ton - Warner announced pre-series that he would not play the format beyond the home Test series against Pakistan next summer, while acknowledging that it was dependent on him being selected.

Warner, 36, has had another modest tour of England, averaging 25.12 across the first four Ashes Tests with just one half-century. He has still never made a Test ton in the UK.

Warner has amassed an aggregate count of 201 runs across 8 innings this Ashes series. Picture: Visionhaus/Getty Images

Former England captain Michael Vaughan floated on Fox that he had heard rumours that both Warner and Steve Smith would retire after the fifth and final Ashes Test that begins at The Oval on Thursday.

Warner brushed off that chat.

“Obviously it’s a joke. I won’t take that too seriously,” he said.

In an at-times lighthearted press conference, Warner briefly floated the idea of playing Test cricket even beyond the Pakistan series.

“Johnny Farnham had one last tour and kept going so who knows, I might have to keep you guessing,” Warner said.

“Depends, see how it goes. I have given the fact that I won’t play the West Indies (in January), but if I still think I’m eligible to keep playing and seeing the ball well, who knows? I’m playing the 2024 World Cup. And I’ve always said to be at your best for white-ball cricket, you have to be facing some sort of red cricket ball. Maybe I might play Shield cricket. I’m not sure.”

Chris Woakes is the latest of England’s line-up to claim the openeer’s wicket. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

But pressed on the matter, Warner backed up his pre-series position.

“OK, I won’t be playing any further Test cricket after Pakistan. You have my word,” Warner said.

Warner’s position in the side has been a subject of speculation for much of the year, however, the opener said he had not allowed himself to be consumed by the discussion.

“No, not at all. As a player that doesn’t go through your head. Going through your head is actually going out there and trying to score as many runs as you can and try and work hard on your game in the nets. If you get tapped on the shoulder, you get tapped on the shoulder. You can’t have that doubt in the back of your mind,” Warner said.

Warner has kept any discussion of his position in the squad away from the pitch. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Asked about his output during the series, Warner said he had made significant strides forward since the 2019 Ashes in which he averaged less than 10 with the bat.

“I’ve probably left a few out there but in saying that I’ve played a lot better than what I did last time,” Warner said.

“So I can be in good positions, I’m looking to score, I’ve had a couple of unlucky dismissals and then dismisses where I’ve tried to negate the swing or the seam and it’s caught the outside edge of the bat, so for me, I feel like I’m in a good space, contributed well, and as a batting unit, we’re all about partnerships.

“And I think the partnerships that we’ve had in key moments of this series so far, have actually worked very well for us as a team.”