The absolute best time for David Warner to retire was after the Sydney Test match in Australia: Ricky Ponting

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Australian opener David Warner should have retired from the longest form of cricket after Australia's recent home Test in Sydney. There are qualms regarding the southpaw’s Test future as he hasn’t been at his best with the bat since 2022. In 14 matches, the veteran has piled up only 607 runs at a poor average of 26.39, which includes his double-century knock against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test.

Recently, Warner flew back home due to an injury following his appearance in the Delhi Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Since then, there are speculations that he could not make it to Australia’s Ashes squad that will tour England in June. Last year, Warner indicated he may retire from Tests after the Ashes.

However, speaking on the ICC Review, Ricky Ponting said that the dashing Aussie opener will make a comeback in Australia’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

“They have got some really big decisions to make, leading into the Ashes [in England] 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," he added.

Ponting, who will be Warner’s coach in the Delhi Capitals camp in the upcoming IPL 2023, said that the best time for Warner’s retirement has already passed.

“Look, I was on radio a couple of days ago, back here in Australia, and I thought the absolute best time for Davey (Warner) to retire, if he was thinking about it at all, was after the Sydney Test match here in Australia,” said Ponting.

“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," he added.

The former Aussie stalwart is also hopeful of Warner’s comeback to bring down the curtains on his Test career in his own style.

“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," Ponting stated.

"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. That's why I just hope he can find it within himself to score a lot of runs between now and next summer. If he does, then next summer might be the ideal opportunity for him," he concluded.

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