After colleague Aaron Finch announced that he was hanging up his boots from the BBL, he announced his own retirement.

“I have loved playing for the Renegades, I’ve met some great people over the last five years and the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime. This playing group is special. They’ve been amazing to me, amazing team-mates and even better friends,” said Marsh.

“To the Renegades’ coaches and staff and everyone behind the scenes – thank you for backing me in from the start and over my final years. It’s made my job a little easier out in the middle,” he added.

Marsh scored the most runs in the first season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the same year, he played his first One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) matches during the West Indies tour.

Marsh scored a total of 2265 runs in 38 Tests, 2773 runs in 73 ODIs, and 255 runs in 15 T20Is for Australia. He notched up 13 centuries and 25 half-centuries in these formats.

The 34-year-old veteran, chosen unexpectedly over Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matt Renshaw, will be opening for Australia in the upcoming Test series against the West Indies in Adelaide. This marks his debut in the new role, starting Wednesday.

“They (selectors) were obviously very keen to get Cameron (Green) in the side as well and play our best six batters, and for me it didn’t sit right to have him come in and bat up top,” he told reporters.

“I’ve played for a long time and I’m an experienced player, and I think it’s something I should have done.”

Mitchell Marsh’s resurgence in the all-rounder role has led to the sidelining of the highly rated Green. In a strategic move, Smith has been shifted up the order instead of selecting a specialist opener, allowing Green to return primarily as a batsman. Smith had been considering this idea since the Ashes in England last year, and it finally materialized during the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney this month.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of getting in and facing the new ball,” he said.

“It’s something that isn’t really foreign to me. I’ve batted on numerous occasions where I’ve come in early doors and I batted at number three for quite a while.”

Ex-captain Smith, with 105 Tests and 9,514 runs under his belt, prefers batting early because “I don’t like waiting to bat.

“I actually don’t like watching cricket that much, believe it or not,” he said.

“I’d prefer to be out there batting. It gets a bit boring sitting there (with the pads on) but I don’t have to do that any more.”

David Warner is making a dramatic entry into the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) for Sydney Thunder. He plans to play in the last three league stage matches before heading to the UAE to captain Dubai Capitals in the International League T20. Despite his recent retirement from Test cricket, he’s in a race against time to reach the venue for a crucial match against Sydney Sixers on January 12. Interestingly, Warner, who retired at the SCG last week, will land his helicopter on the same outfield where the ‘Thanks Davey’ message was painted during the Australia-Pakistan Test match. Initially considering Allianz Stadium, the plan changed, and weather permitting, Warner will touch down at the SCG outfield at 5 PM local time after attending his brother’s wedding in the Hunter Valley.

“He’s going to take a lot of effort to come and play for us. We love having him here. Last year he was awesome for us, maybe didn’t score as many runs as he would have liked but around the group and passing on knowledge was awesome to have him around. He’s one of the better team men. All the fans get to enjoy him playing cricket,” Sydney Thunder pacer Gurinder Sandhu said.

In the upcoming match, Sydney Sixers will feature Steve Smith, adding to the excitement of the game. The fixture is anticipated to be a blockbuster, and a full house is expected at the SCG. Commenting on David Warner’s entrance, someone remarked, “He’s a bit Hollywood, isn’t he? That’s very Davey.” Another person mentioned getting a Lime bike and planning to replicate the same and ride out as Warner lands tomorrow night.

“I’m glad they are making it happen because think everyone in the country who is a fan of cricket wants to see David Warner in the BBL and I’m really looking forward to coming up against him. One of the best players in the world and has been for a long time,” Sixers pacer Sean Abbott added.

Warner retired from Test cricket after the last match against Pakistan in Sydney, ending his 12-year stint as a top-order batsman. Initially, Bancroft, Harris, and Renshaw were considered for the opening role, but Smith expressed his interest last week.

Chief selector George Bailey announced, “Steve Smith will open, and Cameron Green will bat at number four. Steve is motivated and eager for the challenge. It’s something he believes he can do, and it fits our team.”

Green, who was temporarily sidelined by Mitchell Marsh’s excellent performance as an all-rounder, will return primarily as a batsman. Shifting Smith up the order allows selectors to utilize Green’s batting skills.

Renshaw, the only change in the 13-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series, got a Test lifeline. Bancroft and Harris were left out, a setback for Bancroft, the leading run-scorer in Sheffield Shield over the last two seasons.

The pace trio of Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc, who played all three Tests against Pakistan, might face workload management challenges. If needed, Boland will step in.

The ODI squad for the West Indies series sees Cummins rested, and Smith taking over as captain. Marsh, Starc, and Hazlewood will also sit out the ODIs.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (capt),  Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja,  Nathan Lyon,Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc,Scott Boland,.

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa,Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Travis Head, Matt Short.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were batting at 23 and six, respectively, with their team’s score at 116 for two before bad light and rain interrupted play before tea. The home team was trailing by 197 runs on that day.David Warner, who was playing in his 112th and final Test match, was disappointed not to have scored a century. Warner, also known as ‘the Bull,’ got out for 34, frustrated by the extra bounce and turn from offspinner Agha Salman. He was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd as he left the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Warner’s dismissal came after he was dropped on 20 by debutant Saim Ayub in Aamer Jamal’s first over. Unfortunately, Pakistan had been struggling in the field with several dropped catches in the series. Usman Khawaja, who has a strong record at the SCG, fell for 47 to a catch down the leg-side off Jamal after a review. Australia still has a strong batting order to follow despite these losses, as Smith and Labuschagne have respectable averages at the SCG.

The rain interruption added to the SCG’s reputation for soggy weather, with 26 washed-out days, the most among Australian Test grounds. Australia had already secured the series with a 79-run win in the second Test in Melbourne over Christmas.

Aamer Jamal achieved a notable feat by scoring a fifty in the ongoing third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He now joins the exclusive list of three Pakistani cricketers who have both scored 100+ runs and taken 10+ wickets in a Test series in Australia, alongside legends Imran Khan and Wasim Akram.

During the opening day of the third Test, Pakistan was dismissed for 313, and Australia finished the day at 6-0. Warner, in his final Test, received a guard of honor from the Pakistan team, and he started his innings with a four.

With 82 runs in 97 balls, including nine fours and four sixes, Aamer Jamal was instrumental in helping Pakistan to a competitive total. He, along with Mir Hamza, added 86 runs for the last wicket, rescuing Pakistan from a challenging situation at 227-9.

Earlier in the day, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman contributed to Pakistan’s recovery with a 94-run partnership after a shaky start. Rizwan scored 88 before falling to a legside trap by Pat Cummins, while Salman made 53 runs before being dismissed by Mitchell Starc.

Pat Cummins was the standout bowler, claiming figures of 5-61 and becoming the first Australian to achieve three consecutive five-wicket hauls in Tests since Nathan Lyon in 2017. Despite a challenging start, Australia had already secured the three-match series with a 79-run victory in the second Test in Melbourne.

The tourists faced a tough situation at 96 for five after winning the toss, but they fought back to frustrate the Australians at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Rizwan scored 88 off 103 balls, Jamal made 82 off 97, and Salman contributed 53 off 67 to give their team hope after a difficult start. In Australia’s reply of 6-0, David Warner, playing his final Test, survived a tense final over, finishing with six runs. Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, claimed five wickets for 61 runs, his third five-wicket haul of the series.

Despite a challenging start, Pakistan’s tail, led by Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman, staged a strong comeback with a spirited 94-run partnership. Rizwan, who had been dropped for the first Test, played aggressively, hitting two sixes and 10 fours before getting caught by Hazlewood. Salman contributed with a half-century before being caught by Head. Jamal contributed significantly as well before losing to Lyon.

Australia had a successful morning session as openers Shafique and debutant Ayub were dismissed early. With five wickets taken for 61 runs during the series, Cummins continued his outstanding form. The series was clinched by Australia with a tense 79-run win in the second Test in Melbourne over Christmas.

Australia’s fast bowlers, confirmed skipper Pat Cummins, have fully recovered from the last Test in Melbourne, securing the series with a 79-run victory. Pakistan makes two changes, giving Saim Ayub his Test debut as an opening batsman in place of Imam-Ul-Haq. Additionally, off-spinner Sajid Khan replaces senior fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“You always have to look at the bigger picture after a game like the MCG. We’ve learned the lessons, at least we’ve put ourselves in those positions from where we could compete in or dominate games,” Pakistan captain Shan Masood said Tuesday.

“It’s now about not repeating mistakes, and if we can put in similar efforts to the one in Melbourne, we’ll be winning a lot of Tests.”

The SCG has a reputation for taking turn, but the hosts did not consider bringing a second spinner into the team to partner Nathan Lyon, Cummins said.

The pitch for Pakistan’s last match in Australia appeared well-grassed, marking opener Warner’s 112th and final Test.

“The weather looks pretty good this week and that’s not always the case in Sydney,” Cummins said ahead of the Test, starting Wednesday.

“The groundsman seems happy with where it’s at. It looks like decent coverage of grass, so it should be a good week ahead.”

The Sydney Test often faces rain, having 26 washed-out days, the highest among Australian Test venues. However, this week has only a moderate chance of showers. In another development, Warner publicly appealed for the return of his missing baggy green caps, which disappeared from his bag during transportation from Melbourne. In an Instagram post, the veteran mentioned losing some of his belongings in transit.

“Someone has taken my backpack out of my luggage from Melbourne to Sydney … inside this backpack was my Baggy Green cap,” Warner said.

“It’s something that I would love to have back in my hands walking out there this week.”

After much speculation about his position in the team, Warner will receive the farewell he wanted in his hometown following scores of 164, 0, 38, and six in the ongoing Pakistan series.

“Best-case scenario is a (Warner) hundred and maybe a leg-spinner to take the last wicket of the game out of the rough,” Cummins said.

“If he could score some runs and go off in style with a few fours and sixes, I think that’d be a pretty fitting end. ‘Warner Week’ has started.”

Warner, aged 37, enters his last Test with an impressive record of 8,695 runs at an average of 44.58, including 26 centuries and 36 half-centuries.

In a poignant turn of events, David Warner is poised for an emotional farewell to Test cricket in his hometown of Sydney. The seasoned opening batsman secures his spot in an unaltered Australian lineup for the impending third and final Test against Pakistan next week.

Back in June, Warner had expressed his desire to conclude his illustrious 12-year Test career at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With Australia already clinching an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, the 37-year-old’s wish is set to materialize.

George Bailey, the chief selector, confirmed the decision, stating:

“The National Selection Panel have retained the same squad from Melbourne to Sydney as we look to clean sweep the Test series. We look forward to celebrating David Warner’s final Test match and his incredible career at his home ground.”

Warner, a native of Sydney, entered the current series amid uncertainties regarding his form due to a lack of Test runs. However, his commanding 164-run performance in the first innings of the opening Test in Perth swiftly dispelled any doubts about his position in the team.

Australia secured a resounding victory in that Test, winning by 360 runs. In the subsequent Test in Melbourne, captain Pat Cummins delivered a match-winning performance, claiming 10 wickets as Australia triumphed by 79 runs in four days.

The triumph marked Australia’s fourth consecutive series win at home, with an impressive record of 10 wins out of 12 Tests since Cummins assumed captaincy ahead of the 2021-22 Ashes series.

As the focus shifts to Sydney, Pakistan will be vying for their first Test win in Australia in nearly three decades.

Australia Squad:

– Pat Cummins (captain)

– Scott Boland

– Alex Carey

– Cameron Green

– Josh Hazlewood

– Travis Head

– Usman Khawaja

– Marnus Labuschagne

– Nathan Lyon

– Mitchell Marsh

– Steve Smith

– Mitchell Starc

– David Warner

If Adelaide Strikers qualify for a home final in the Big Bash League, they might have to play the match in Canberra because of scheduling conflicts with the Test summer. Australia’s home Tests against West Indies are set to take place at Adelaide Oval and the Gabba in Brisbane during the BBL finals week. This means the Strikers, currently in fourth place, won’t be able to host a finals match in Adelaide. Instead, they would play their qualifier or knockout at Manuka Oval. The Heat, in first place, could still host their home finals matches in southeast Queensland at Carrara Oval. The possibility of BBL matches on Christmas Day is also being discussed, with some players open to the idea while others have concerns. Todd Greenberg of the Australian Cricketers Association is willing to consider the proposal, citing the success of other sports playing on December 25