As Australia completed a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan in the third Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, David Warner ended his career in the longest format with a half-century in the final innings. Opening batsman and childhood friend Usman Khawaja also spoke candidly about the unique bond that Warner has with his mother as the veteran opener bid farewell to Test cricket and the SCG supporters.
After Pakistan finished the second innings of Day 3 at 68 for seven, they were dismissed for just 115 after Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets and captain Pat Cummins claimed a third. Chasing 130, Australia lost Khawaja for a duck before Warner and Labuschagne put together a century stand; the latter appeared certain to score the winning run but was removed an over before Labuschagne concluded the match.
Following the game, Warner gave Khawaja’s mother a hug; a photo of the two that went viral on social media showed the 37-year-old’s emotional connection to her.
“My mum loves him. She calls him Shaytan. Devil. Satan. My mum loved the fact that he was the devil. And it was not her son that she could just push it back to Lorraine and Howard [Warner’s parents],” the man said. “He (Warner) is hugging my mom, she loves him a lot. Honestly, I just enjoyed batting with him, he attacked the ball, let me play my game.”
After Warner leaves, Steve Smith is expected to open for Australia, and Khawaja acknowledged that finding a replacement for the left-hander will be difficult.
“Test cricket is a tough place; you go out and do it your own way,” he continued. “Be yourself, you can not try to be someone else, you just can not go out and strike in the 70s.”