Cricket Australia shatters David Warner’s hopes

Former Australia opening batter David Warner won’t be available for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan despite his interest in participating in the multi-lateral tournament.

Warner, who declared that the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 would be his last appearance for Australia in the format, confirmed the decision ahead of his final Test earlier this year.

The left-handed opener, however, left the door open for his return in Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan next year in February.

“I know there’s a Champions Trophy coming up. If I’m playing decent cricket in two years time and I’m around and they need someone, I’m going to be available,” stated Warner.

Recently, David Warner once again expressed, through an Instagram post that he is ready to play for Australia in the eight-team event, if the management selects him.

“It’s been an honour to be able to do this. 100+ games in all formats is my highlight. I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for Australia in the Champions trophy if selected,” he added.

However, Australia’s national selector George Bailey shared Monday that David Warner is considered “retired” and not in plans for the Champions Trophy 2025 and instead emphasized that his legacy across formats should be commended.

“Our understanding is that David is retired, and [he] should be commended on what has been an incredible career across all three formats. Certainly, our planning is that he won’t be there in Pakistan,” said Bailey.

“You never know when Bull’s joking…think he’s just stirring the pot a bit. He’s had a wonderful career, can’t celebrate it enough, and think as time goes by, his legacy of what he has done for Australia and we reflect back on that, the legend of a player is only going to continue to grow. But as far as this team goes and the journey to transition to some different players, in his case across all three formats, it’s going to be exciting,” he concluded.