Australia vs Pakistan: Why Test cricket needed David Warner farewell tour

David Warner’s send off for his final Test in Sydney, with the tributes, boyhood photos and family snaps, is much needed for Test cricket, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

Test cricket needed “David Warner week’’ even more than David Warner did.

The coverage of Warner’s thrills and spills, in which he ranked in the pantheon of top batsmen, the boyhood photos, the family snaps, the tributes, the stumbles, the press conference tears, the missing caps...

And then the late first-day drama, the hug with Usman Khawaja, the first-ball mortar shot to the fence and the stunning escape to one which did everything but kiss the stumps on the second-last ball of the day.

When all these threads were wrapped up in one sentimental package it boomed out a clear message – Test cricket, abandoned old thing that she is becoming, is still the sweetest place in cricket and the one where you will always be remembered.

In this of all weeks, with South Africa sending a second-string Test squad to New Zealand for a two-Test series to allow its top players to play T20s at home, Test cricket needed to show why it still mattered.

David Warner walks out to bat at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

The setbacks come almost daily now – day one of the Test brought news Pakistan pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi had been rested to freshen him for five T20s against New Zealand.

In bygone eras that would have been like a golfer missing the British Open to play the monthly medal.

Test cricket won’t win the war against the global push for T20 cricket. Money doesn’t talk in cricket. It swears.

By the time the Brisbane Olympics hit in 2032 its doubtful there will be many more than three or four nations playing five-day cricket, which is why the game’s longest format needs to keep its gloves in the air.

It’s also why weeks like this are so important.

Unlike T20 and 50-over cricket, where fans are often unsure of when players played their first and last games, Test cricket needs to show that debuts are huge news and retirements even bigger.

Since Warner announced during the Ashes his intention to strive for an SCG farewell, there has been enormous conjecture about the merits of letting him stay that long.

Fair enough, too. His form has faded. He is not the player he was. Those who argued for him to go have no reason to apologise.

Warner enjoying his final Test match. Picture: Saeed KHAN / AFP

But the emotions of the past week proved why it was the best thing for the game for him to be given a send-off that has enriched what would have been a flat and featureless five-dayer.

Over the years there have been plenty of cricket observers (my hand is in the air) who have never loved players giving a throw-forward retirement announcement because it always seems a bit indulgent.

But this week has proven why the game actually needs more of them.

By the time this match is over, the farewells of Warner and Stuart Broad in England will be two of the most memorable occasions in recent Test cricket.

The more cricket celebrates its five-day heroes, the more young kids will want to grow up to be that person.

So here’s the message to the likes of Khawaja and Steve Smith – don’t go quietly. The game needs you.

Originally published as Australia vs Pakistan: Why Test cricket needed David Warner farewell tour