Australia secured a 3-0 series sweep of Pakistan at the SCG with David Warner signing off from Test cricket with a memorable half-century in a successful run chase on day four of the final Test. Despite Warner’s farewell, Pakistan made the hosts work for the win. After losing the first two Tests of the series, Pakistan entered day four on 7-67, holding a slight lead.
Warner led the chase for Australia, overcoming his nerves and history of fourth-innings collapses at the SCG. He was eventually dismissed for 57 just 11 runs shy of victory. This performance garnered a standing ovation from his home crowd. Warner’s retirement wraps up an illustrious Test career of 112 matches over 12 years. He will next turn his attention to the T20 version in the Caribbean and June before retiring as an international cricketer.
Despite Pakistan’s strong performance with the ball, Australia sealed a memorable fightback win with eight wickets in hand and more than a day to spare. Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Aamer Jamal played with discipline but were unable to build a defendable total, leaving Australia with a target of 130 for victory. Although the tourists put up a fight, Australia ultimately reached their goal inside 26 overs.
With the series whitewash, Australia’s World Test Championship defense is off to the best possible start. Australia has a favorable schedule ahead and is likely to make it five consecutive wins when they face a weakened West Indies squad later this month. Warner’s retirement from Tests follows his retirement from ODIs after November’s World Cup win in India. Despite the official results of retirement, Warner will still compete in other international competitions before officially retiring from cricket.