David Warner gives fans a blow-by-blow guide to how his body was TOTALLY damaged during his Boxing Day double century: ‘I had to celebrate on my knees’
David Warner revealed he had nothing more to give as he retired hurt following a stunning double century against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test.
The 36-year-old ended a run of 27 innings without a Test ton and silenced critics in style when he made 200 at the MCG in the second Test of the series against the Proteas.
Warner’s highest score since he made an unbeaten 335 against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval in November 2019 could not have come at a better time as he celebrates his 100th Test.
David Warner celebrates a magnificent double ton on the second day of the Boxing Day Test
It also ended a dismal run of form. The veteran opener went into the Boxing Day Test averaging just 17.5 after a dismal return of 105 runs in the first three Tests of the summer and averages just 21.64 this year.
With the series in India and England – where he averaged 24.25 and 26.04 respectively – looming next year, Warner’s place in the team is under increasing scrutiny.
But his valiant effort was cut short as the sweltering conditions at the MCG forced Warner to experience cramps during his innings.
By the time he reached his double century, he was too spent to perform his iconic celebration and simply knelt in front of the crowd.
The Aussie veteran jumped in celebration after reaching his ton earlier in the innings
But he was too spent to bring out his trademark celebration after reaching his double ton
I just did that [celebration] on my knees because I knew I couldn’t jump and then I said things that I was going to try to jump and lo and behold my calf rode me that was the last thing that passed me and that was it,’ he told Herald Sun.
‘I have absolutely nothing. It started with my adductor early, I had pickle juice then my forearm came first and I took off my arm guard that I normally wear and it started to go all over my body.
‘I think I swept one and my hamstring went and then from there it was like yeah, it’s horrible.
‘It was a terrible feeling. I’ve never had those kinds of cramps and if you could have a camera in the changing room for the next hour after I leave, it would be funny.’
Warner had to be helped off the field by medics after suffering severe cramps and exhaustion
Warner was eventually helped off the field by medics after reaching his milestone and was dismissed without adding to his score when he returned the next day.
If the heat got to Warner’s body, the impact of his captaincy ban at Cricket Australia and the lack of runs weighed heavily on his mind.
‘These are the things that you don’t want in your mind when you train or you go to the game so, for me it’s just trying to get in the right mindset and I can’t do it,’ he said.
‘It is difficult. And when you’re in the middle, you try to be as positive as possible. And like I said I was hitting them as hard as I thought I could but I just had no luck and you make your own luck in this game.’
