Emotional David Warner braces for a perfect farewell

David Warner doesn't often let his guard down in public when it comes to getting emotional. He became emotional twice after taking to the field two days after the start of the farewell test. And he didn't hold back on either count.

Both times, it had to do with an opening partner with whom he had a relationship from his very early days in cricket. Donning a baggy green with whom he will walk on his final campaign at the SCG next week. Another will walk past his plaque after he tragically lost it nine years ago but still sees "the other side".

And Warner said it was difficult to talk about the departure of the late Phillip Hughes after all these years but admitted that among the long series he had to open the batting with, was his fellow left-hander from country New South Wales. Arguably would be the best.

"For us, it was very sad and terrible to be here when he fell. Even today, it hurts us a lot. I have always seen him on the other side. All the boys know he is looking at us. It is still hard to talk. Today is about it because I remember Kari is going to be one of the best opening batsmen we have ever had,” said Warner.

"He had every shot in the book. His character, his energy and his smile lit up the house. Best mates with everyone, no one would ever say a bad word about him and truly believe today, if he was still with us, he would be in my position. or will be in the position of wazir (at the top of the order).”

Warner opened the batting in his first Test with the late Hughes, who made his debut a few years ago, a dozen Tests ago. And he will do so with Khawaja in his 112th career Test in Sydney. Asked about what it means to be able to do this after all these years of knowing each other, Warner first hinted at the emotional week ahead, referring to it as a "fairytale ending".

"I was saying to Uzi this morning when we came out in the middle, in his Test debut, I was actually sitting there in a box and it was great to see and it's a fairytale ending. I don't. I know a lot of cricketers who have gone through junior cricket with each other and Played at the highest level for a long time,” Warner said.

"Watching him come back the way he has the last two years has been absolutely amazing. I know his family is really proud of him. I'm really proud of him as a teammate. I noticed when he scored a century when he first came back (at the SCG in January 2021 against England). But yeah, I think when you're childhood friends and you're here at the SCG as a kid, dreaming big. , it's a great fit. I love him, hey."

In a rather sweet moment, Warner walked into the press conference room with his wife Candice and their three children. They sat through most of his chat before the youngest needed a break. But they will be at full strength during the week, even though he is away from Test cricket for good. And after declaring his intention to call it quits on his home-ground nearly seven months ago in front of his family and friends, Warner revealed he had previously considered leaving but had no doubts about where he wanted to go.

"I said (that) quite clearly before the World Test Championship (final) in England. There was a lot of talk about me and my form. I wanted to finish it early. I said that would be my ideal choice to finish. Sydney - it's ideal, it's Great. But I had actually penciled in Lord's as my last Test, especially if I didn't go as well as the partnership with Uzi at the top of the order. Then from there, it was just after that we played some good innings together. I didn't have a century (in England). Which I've always wanted but eluded me to achieve. But as a team and as a whole we did our best, so it's great to get this finish, but it's not about me, it's about us. We won the series, but to win three nil and get whitewashed here at the SCG. will be a great thing for. How can we take away the good this team has had in the last 18 months," he said.

Warner admitted how the emotion of saying goodbye to something he had cherished for so long and was so proud of began to get to him as he neared the end.

"It's actually become more emotional. When I saw Lord's (the 2nd Test of last year's Ashes) as a possible finish, I didn't have much emotion because I was satisfied. I might not have scored runs, but I still want to play Test cricket. was. I love playing cricket. It doesn't matter what format I'm playing in. But since Perth I've been back in Australia and knowing that I'm playing, it's definitely emotional. (My last Test). To get that 160, for our team. Puts in a great position for, when people on the street come up and say, 'Well done