David Warner has responded to the furore surrounding his decision to pre-announce his retirement after the Sydney Test amid criticism from Mitchell Johnson.
Johnson blasted Warner for designating his retirement date when so many legends of the game have not been afforded the same luxury.
Warner has scored 8,487 runs at an average of 44.43, including 25 centuries and 36 50s in 110 Tests, but his recent form in the Test arena has left a lot to be desired, despite dominating the shorter formats.
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Still, Adam Gilchrist believes Warner’s Test record stands up against the greats from any era of cricket.
“You have been such an integral part of this team which I do think your numbers would match up in almost any era,” Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.
“It is always a great discussion. You decided mid-year and you made the announcement that you hoped Sydney would be your last Test.
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“How are you feeling about that decision now? There has been a lot of white noise around it leading into this particular match. Are you still comfortable with that decision?”
Warner joked that his retirement forecast was a lot shorter than another one of his teammates, but clarified his own comments that he believes were taken the wrong way.
“I could give myself five years like Nathan Lyon!” Warner joked.
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“For me, leading into the World Test championship it was about how many Tests I was going to play. Look back, if people read my comments, ideal scenario would be to finish in Australia.
“But you’ve still got to score runs, you’ve still got to perform. Lord’s was going to be my last Test if I wasn’t scoring runs in England.
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“But we managed to keep winning and keep going well, so the selectors kept the faith in me and in the team.
“Moving forward from there, it’s one of those things where you’ve got to perform. I want to keep the media focused about the team and the Ashes and the World Test Championship.
“I was sick of it all being about me. It’s not about me at all, it’s about the team. If we’re winning and we’re succeeding and I’m doing my job, so be it.”
Warner has had a history of blocking out the outside noise surrounding his career and focusing on the task of scoring runs for his country.
He believes his experiences over 110 Test matches has made it easier not give in to the critics.
“I’ve had it going for a long time now,” Warner said.
“For me, when I’m outside of cricket and I’m not on the field I’m either with my family, playing golf or spending time with my closest friends. That’s what it’s all about.
“I came here today to enjoy the game of cricket and what I love. I still remember my first couple of games with some friends in the housing commission growing up, up against a wall with a taped tennis ball.
“To come back out here and play another home series is fantastic and they’re still coming along on that journey with me. That’s what really sits well with me. I don’t listen to that noise.”
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Warner was pressed on whether he feels extra pressure to perform having set a target for calling time on his career.
“No, not at all,” Warner said.
“For me I’ve never really felt pressure. I think when you’re out there you might get a little bit of nerves, but I don’t feel the pressure when I go out there.
“Everyone’s learned now that it (criticism) adds fuel to the fire for me when I go out there. But that’s not the case either. Because there’s so much hype and talk about it, I think just when you’re out there you’re just in your zone – you forget about what’s out there.
“I know there’s a lot of people watching but when you’re in your zone, you’re standing there in the middle of the wicket with your partner up the other end, all your focus is on that next delivery and then running hard between wickets.”
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