David Warner retires from Tests: Revisiting Australian opener's top achievements and controversies

David Warner played his final Test on Saturday in Sydney. The left-hander ended his illustrious and controversial career by participating in his 112th and final Test match against Pakistan, which ended in an eight-wicket victory for the Australians that helped them sweep the three-Test series.

Warner bowed out with a knock of 57, stitching a 119-run second-wicket partnership with Marnus Labuschagne that helped the Aussies recover from the early Usman Khawaja’s early dismissal and chase the 130-run target set by the visitors down with ease.

WATCH: Warner receives standing ovation from home crowd at Sydney in final Test outing

As Warner brings the curtains down on his career in the five-day format of the game, we take a look at top moments, achievements, and controversies from his Test career:

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Smashing his way in Test cricket

David Warner made a grand entry to Test cricket during the 2011 home series against New Zealand. In only his second Test match, he achieved the remarkable feat of carrying his bat through an innings and scoring his maiden hundred.

Despite his unbeaten 123 on a demanding day-four pitch in Hobart, where Michael Clarke’s team pursued victory, Australia lost the match by seven runs.

Smashing 69-ball ton against India at WACA

This was his fourth Test match in early 2012, and Warner delivered a stunning performance at the WACA ground in Perth, where he creamed a top-class Indian attack to all corners in a sensational 69-ball century.

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[caption id=“attachment_13583252” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] David Warner celebrates after scoring a 69-ball century against India at Perth’s WACA Stadium in January, 2012. Reuters[/caption]

The pitch had ample assistance for the bowlers — but he still smashed 13 fours and three sixes on his way to reaching three figures, ultimately being dismissed for 180. This remarkable feat stands as the sixth-fastest century in the history of Test cricket. Warner has also achieved a 78-ball century against Pakistan at Sydney in 2017.

Sandpaper Gate

This was one of the most scandalous episodes in Australian cricket.

During a match against South Africa in Cape Town, David Warner instructed Cameron Bancroft to tamper with the ball using sandpaper. The repercussions were swift, and both Warner and skipper Steve Smith were sent home.

The scandal dealt a severe blow to Australian cricket, with Warner and Smith enduring a year-long ban. Warner, portrayed as the central antagonist, not only faced the suspension but was also banned from taking any leadership position in Australia cricket. This incident took a profound toll on Warner personally and affected his family as well — and he has since, became calmer, never wanting to be too confrontational.

Creams a Triple ton

David Warner showed his supreme form in Test cricket and dominated Pakistan — against whom he smashed six of his centuries.

Among his remarkable feats was the unforgettable 335 not out in a day-night Test at Adelaide in 2019 — this was his only triple-century and highest individual score. Starting the second day unbeaten on 166, Warner elevated his game as Pakistan’s bowlers struggled in scorching conditions.

With a score of 335, David Warner now holds the second-best Test score by an Australian, trailing only Matthew Hayden’s historic 380.