Michael Clarke reveals how David Warner avoided his contract getting ‘ripped up’

Micheal Clarke and David Warner. (Photo Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images and Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images)

With veteran Australian opener David Warner retiring from Tests after the New Year’s Test against Pakistan in Sydney, the cricket world has been talking about how the 37-year-old has conquered world cricket and is deemed one of the greatest batters of the generation.

Speaking of his career, former Australia skipper Michael Clarke opined that Warner’s ability at the start of his career helped him avoid his central contract getting “ripped up” as he had several problems with the board. It is worth noting that Clarke was Warner’s first Test captain when he made his debut in 2011 and went on to play 39 matches with him.

“Davey has always been a tough character, someone I loved having on the team—that intent, that aggressive approach, But he was the same off the field, a little bull, and got into a little bit of trouble along the way,” Clarke told ESPN’s Around The Wicket show.

“But think he had a lot of support and help from, certainly, senior players and around Cricket Australia that helped him not have his contract ripped up. There was a bit of a fight to keep him because he was so important to the team. [There was] the confidence, being his captain, that [at] the start of his career that like all of us, we are young, [he] needed to learn lessons along the way,” he added.

Davey’s game has really been learnt at the highest level: Clarke

Clarke further lauded Warner’s performances and opined that his ability was clear for everyone to see from very early on, but he did win people over with his performances, especially coming from the shorter formats.

“Davey’s game has really been learnt at the highest level, playing for Australia, which is not easy to do so think he deserves a lot of credit. He’s had a stellar career, opening the batting [is] such a hard position,” Clarke said. “There were a lot of doubts around the way Davey played. Could he cut it in Test cricket? [He] started as a T20 player and there was always that risk. I think from day one everyone saw the talent, very gifted,” Clarke said.