As David Warner prepares to bid farewell to Test cricket, the seasoned opener is expected to skip Australia’s white-ball contests in favor of lucrative Twenty20 tournaments. The 37-year-old will conclude his red-ball cricket career during the upcoming third Benaud-Qadir Test against Pakistan at the SCG. Despite his decision to step back from international Tests, Warner doesn’t plan to retire from limited-overs cricket after his impressive performance in Australia’s successful ODI World Cup campaign. However, Australian Cricketers’ Association boss Todd Greenberg has hinted that Warner might opt for T20 leagues, especially if they coincide with international games or the Big Bash League. Warner has already indicated that he won’t accept a national contract next year to have more flexibility in his schedule.
Greenberg acknowledged that Warner will be seeking the best return on his investment in the next phase of his career, and this might involve missing certain games and tours. Although this approach may not be universally liked, Greenberg emphasized the need to embrace the modern world of cricket. Warner aims to participate in the T20 World Cup for Australia next year but won’t accept another contract from Cricket Australia. In a broader discussion, Greenberg expressed concern about how Australian cricket may not be immune to the influence of lucrative franchise leagues.
Drawing attention to South Africa’s decision to keep contracted players at home for an IPL-funded T20 league, Greenberg emphasized the growing commercial success and private investment in T20 leagues worldwide. He stressed the need to acknowledge the increasing earning opportunities for players and how this could impact the domestic system and bilateral cricket. Greenberg urged a proactive approach to navigate these challenges, acknowledging that players seek the best commercial outcomes during their limited playing lifespan.