Ricky Ponting predicts David Warner dismissal in farewell Test against Pakistan
Australian great David Warner has been dismissed for 34 in the first innings of his farewell Test against Pakistan at the SCG.
Playing his 112th and final Test match, Warner resumed on Thursday after surviving a tricky over on the opening day of the Test.
He showed his trademark aggressive style but was eventually out when he edged an Agha Salman delivery to Babar Azam in slips.
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Warner was furious with himself and could be seen yelling on his way back to the pavilion.
The wicket was one again forecast by Australian great Ricky Ponting, who called for Salman to come in.
“Worth giving him a bit of a crack before the lunch break,” Ponting said in commentary, moments before Salman was brought into the attack.
Warner should have been dismissed earlier on Day 2 when he edged Aamir Jamal to the cordon within the first hour of play and set up what should have been a regulation catch.
The ball carried to debutant Saim Ayub who fumbled it, prompting the SCG to let out a collective sigh of relief. Warner, unbeaten on 20 at the time, fought on.
“That’s nearly impossible to drop,” Justin Langer said in commentary.
The week has been all about Warner, who announced his plans to retire after this Test some seven months ago.
He was joined by his three daughters for the national anthem on the pitch ahead of play on the opening day.
Before play began, Test teammates shared their favourite Warner memories in pre-recorded videos shown on the screens around the ground.
Warner was forced to play his final Test in a new baggy green after his two caps were stolen in transit from Melbourne to Sydney this week.
Warner received a standing ovation and guard of honour from the Pakistan players when he and Usman Khawaja finally came out to bat at the SCG just before 6pm on Wednesday.
He cracked the first ball for four in typical style, while also scoring two more with a shot into the leg side.
But he was almost bowled on the penultimate ball of the day when a Sajid Khan delivery bounced off his bat and over the stumps, just millimetres from the top of the bails.
More to come …
