David Warner savaged by cricket fans over detail in ODI retirement announcement

Cricket fans are questioning David Warner's retirement from ODIs after the veteran opener revealed on Monday that he'd be open to a comeback in 2025 if needed. Warner announced his retire from ODI cricket on New Year's Day, just 48 hours before he begins the final Test match of his career.

His retirement from the Test arena was always on the cards, but the 37-year-old surprised everyone on Monday when he revealed he is also walking away from ODI cricket effective immediately. Warner said he felt the time was right after Australia's World Cup triumph in India, where he finished as the side's leading run-scorer.

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"It was a decision that I was very, very comfortable with," the 37-year-old said. "To win in India, from where we were, was absolutely amazing.

"When we lost two games in a row in India, the bond just got stronger with each other and it's not by fluke or by chance that we were able to get to where we were. So I'll make that decision today, to retire from those forms (ODIs)."

David Warner keen to play Champions Trophy in 2025

But the controversial star made the bizarre admission that he's still open to playing at the Champions Trophy in 2025. The Champions Trophy is among the only pieces of silverware missing from Warner's bulging cabinet, with Australia last winning the ODI tournament back in 2009. "If I'm playing decent cricket in two years' time and I'm around and they need someone, I'm going to be available," he said.

The fact Warner still wants to play the Champions Trophy but has announced his retirement from ODIs goes to the fact he wants to be free to play more T20 franchise cricket going forward. Aussie players who feature in a certain amount of ODI or Test matches over a 12-month period are contractually obliged to prioritise international cricket.

But Warner's decision to quit ODI cricket means he can play in any league around the world without ramifications from Cricket Australia. He also said he's keen to continue playing in the BBL, currently holding a contract with the Sydney Thunder through to the end of this season.

He has played in the IPL since 2009, but has never featured in the Pakistan Super League or Hundred tournament in England due to his busy international schedule. The 37-year-old has played one season each in the Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League. "(ODI retirement) does allow me to go and play some other leagues around the world," he said.

Cricket fans call out detail in David Warner's ODI retirement

In November he revealed he wouldn't accept a new contract from Cricket Australia for similar reasons. "How the system works in Australia is that if you play five (T20) games or ODIs, or three Tests, you get upgraded and then you're legally bound by contracting system with sponsors and stuff," he said.

"That's something that becomes a bit of a pain in the backside, especially at my stage of my career. So I don't want to be signed to that agreement and that's something I have to think about moving forward, because if you're going to get a low contract, it's going to cost you a lot in the long run with sponsorships.

'Twenty-year-olds now are going to have to make the decision of whether they're going to go and play international cricket or franchise cricket. Fortunately enough, I've had a very good, successful international career and I'm at the back end where I'm able to choose that."

Warner is the sixth-highest run-scorer in ODI history amongst Australians, with 6932 runs from 161 matches. His 22 centuries are the second-most by any Australian player in ODIs, behind only Ricky Ponting - who made 29 in 105 more innings than Warner.

On Monday, many in the cricket world were quick to accuse Warner or having his cake and eating it too. Some felt it was a poor look to suggest he could come straight back into the ODIm in two years' time.

with AAP

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