According to former Australian skipper Michael Clarke, the board and management supported David Warner throughout his career because of his worth to the squad. Being Warner’s first Test captain, Clarke acknowledged that the southpaw picked up some skills as a young player. On January 3, David Warner will play his last Test match in Sydney.
In 2018, he suffered significant harm to his reputation and goodwill among the cricket community after it was revealed that he was the brains behind a ball-tampering controversy. Before that, he had been into a furious argument at the Durban staircase with Quinton de Kock, the South African keeper-batter.
Barring his one-year cricket ban from the CA for to ball-tampering, The stylish left handed batter was quite crestfallen after getting banned and was seen playing franchise cricket during 2018-19 season. David Warner has been an important member of the Australian team since making his Test debut in 2011.
There was a bit of a fight to keep David Warner because he was so important to the team- Michael Clarke
During a conversation with ESPN’s Around the Wicket, Clarke acknowledged that Warner’s aggressiveness and intent were a great asset to the group, but things were not without difficulty. Clarke added that he had a lot of support from senior players and around Cricket Australia, which helped him not have his contract ripped up.
“Davey has always been a tough character, someone I loved having in the team, that intent, that aggressive approach. But he was the same off the field, a little bull, and got into a little bit of trouble along the way. But think he had a lot of support and help from, certainly, senior players and around Cricket Australia that helped him not have his contract ripped up,” said Michael Clarke.
“There was a bit of a fight to keep him because he was so important to the team. There was the confidence, being his captain, that at the start of his career that like all of us, we are young, he needed to learn lessons along the way,” he further added.
David Warner was a major contributor to Australia’s victories in two ODI World Cups (2015) and 2023, as well as their victory in the T20I World Cup in 2021. In 2023, he triumphed over India in the ICC Test Championship Final as well.
David Warner had a stellar career, opening the batting is such a hard position- Michael Clarke
Although Warner’s ability to perform effectively in Test matches was questioned because he started as a T20 player, Clarke complimented David Warner for his self-reinvention.
“He’s had a stellar career, opening the batting is such a hard position. There were a lot of doubts about the way Davey played. Could he cut it in Test cricket? He started as a T20 player and there was always that risk,” said Michael Clarke.
David Warner has amassed 8695 runs at an average of 44.58 across 111 tests, with a best score of 335 not out. Clarke added that everyone saw the talent he had, and he can do things that other players can’t do.
“I think from day one everyone saw the talent, very gifted, can do things that a lot of players can’t do. And he’s been able to manage that role as an opening batsman but keep his intent, which is easier said than done,” he added.