'Opportunity might not come again' - Ricky Ponting makes a bold statement on David Warner's future in Test Cricket

Ricky Ponting (left) & David Warner (right) (Image credit: Twitter)

Australia legend Ricky Ponting believes his compatriot David Warner missed the ideal time to retire from Test cricket after his double-century against South Africa at the MCG. Last year, David Warner became the 10th player in Test history to score a century in his 100th Test and only the second player to score a double century in this milestone match. His milestone came amid talk about his form and the former Australian captain is of the view that the next game which was at the Sydney Cricket Ground would have been the best time to hang up his boots in the longer format.

Speaking on an episode of the Cricket Governing Body's podcast, Ponting said: "Look, I was on radio a couple of days ago, back here in Australia, and I thought the absolute best time for Davey to retire if he was thinking about it at all, was after the Sydney Test match here in Australia."

"He'd just played his 100th Test in Melbourne, and obviously got 200 in the first innings down there. And to bow out in front of his home crowd is obviously the way that every player would like to finish their careers. Who knows now that opportunity might not come around again for Davey, you know. That's nearly another 12 months away."

Warner was part of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India but was ruled out after the first innings of the second Test in Delhi with a concussion and a hairline fracture in his elbow. The left-handed opener has struggled to find form in Tests since 2022, scoring 607 runs at 26.39 in 14 matches, which includes a double century against the Proteas.

Ponting expects Warner to feature in the Test Championship final

Australia registered a comprehensive victory over India in the third Test in Indore and booked their berth in the World Test Championship final at the Oval, London. Despite his current poor form, Ponting expects Warner to feature in the Test Championship final in June but also sees it as a crucial opportunity to determine whether he plays in the Ashes against England.

"I think they'll definitely want to play him in the World Test Championship match. They have got some really big decisions to make, leading into the Ashes as well. A bit like some of the selection issues they had coming to India. They're probably going to have similar things to think about when they get to the UK because David's record in the UK is not as strong as it is in some other places around the world,"

"But I don't think it's the end of David Warner, I think they'll bring him back for that one game. If he does well there, then I think he'll probably start the Ashes and see from there."

"Look, I'd love it if he could do that. It'd be fitting if he could do that, finish in front of his home crowd. But he's going to have to play really well between now and then for that to happen. And in my own heart of hearts, I hope that's the case. I think his career deserves to finish the way he wants it to. Sort of not to be dropped or tapped on the shoulder in the middle of an overseas tour and have his career end in that way," he concluded.