‘Only Virender Sehwag has been more damaging than him’ – Greg Chappell lauds David Warner for a phenomenal career for Australia

The former Australian captain Greg Chappell recently reflected on David Warner’s career in the long formats as he recently announced his retirement from the one-day international ahead of the last match of his farewell test series against Pakistan on the first day of the New Year. Greg Chappell congratulated Warner for a phenomenal career and regarded him as the most destructive opener after Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag. 

Chapell admitted that one might not be able to get over the sandpaper gate incident but will always be remembered for his impactful knocks at the top for Australia. In his columns for the Sydney Morning Herald, he urged the people to remember Warner for the wonders he had done for the team instead of all the mistakes he had committed. 

“David will never live down the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ incident. That scar on Australian cricket needs to be owned by a lot more people than Warner and Bancroft. Warner’s role in the success of Australian cricket during his time cannot be underestimated. In the modern era, only Virender Sehwag has been more damaging than Warner as an opener,” Chappell said in his columns. 

Greg Chappell on David Warner’s performance as top-order opening batter for Australia 

“The impact of a destructive opener can never be overestimated, and I strongly believe that the selectors must look for someone with similar abilities to replace Warner or risk giving away the unique advantage that Australia has enjoyed for the past decade,” Chappell wrote.

“I know how hard it is to do what he has done through 111 Tests, so I hope that David’s harshest critics acknowledge his talent and contribution and forgive his human frailties. I hope Sydney farewells David Warner fondly next week. Whatever one thinks of him, David Warner has been fantastic for Australian cricket,” he said.

“The passion, energy, professionalism and competitiveness that he has brought to every contest have been unmatched. He must accept that he has allowed himself to be portrayed in a certain manner,” Greg concluded.