A defiant David Warner says he’ll walk onto the MCG “proud as punch” on Monday morning when playing his 100th Test match on Boxing Day.
One of Australia’s finest batters over an international career spanning almost 14 years, Warner has inspired a generation with a trademark counter-attacking style.
A T20 debut that came from nowhere in 2009 and netted 89 runs against South Africa brought about an ODI debut days later and a Test birth in the following years.
Now in his main format, and with a strike rate of 71.18 that rivals the most attacking to have played the game, the 36-year-old says the 100-Test milestone is one he could never have dreamed of.
“As a housing commission boy growing up in Matraville, to have a dream to play cricket for NSW, let alone Australia, was a massive goal,” he said to SEN Test Cricket
“For that to actually eventuate and happen, it’s still surreal today.
“I’ve said this before, I stand here today proud as punch. I’m living not only my dream but a lot of my friends that wanted to grow up and aspire to be cricketers, a lot of friends from housing commission, that little boy from Matraville sitting here at the MCG about to walk and play my 100th Test, it’s so surreal.
“I pinch myself every day that I’ve got the best job in the world. It's taken a lot of hard work and dedication, but I still pinch myself to walk out here.
“If I’ve inspired any kids from housing omission or anywhere in Australia or the world to want to keep aspiring towards their goals, then I’ve done my job.”
He said further: “You look at the way Matthew Hayden took on the game, Adam Gilchrist obviously to a different degree… if I can inspire the next generation of kids to come through and play the same way, I’ll be very, very happy and pleased to see that.”
“Test cricket is important, we’re trying to keep people following the game we love, we need innovation, we need more players coming through like that.”
Warner’s average of 45.52 falls just short of both Hayden’s and Gilchrist’s but still places him in elite company, the top 30 to have played the game for Australia.
On Monday, he’ll become the 14th Australian to play 100 Tests and just the second player in the current Test side behind Nathan Lyon.
As he grows older, the New South Welshman’s form has left something to be desired. Warner hasn’t struck a Test century since early 2020 and has failed to pass 50 in his past 10 Test digs.
But the opener holds no fears for the future, despite some calls for his spot in the side to come into question.
“What’s left for me is rocking up and staying committed to what my job is,” he stated.
“I absolutely love it, being in and around the change room, I’ve got a lot of support from the players and staff, I really enjoy what I bring to the table and for me, it’s continually waking up knowing that for me, I’ve got the best job in the world.
“That’s what’s next for me, continuing to perform as well as I can and that’s all I’ve got my eye set on.”
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