David Warner not in category of ‘greats of the game’ says John Buchanan

"...greats of the game, in my opinion, are people that really do and have done something exceptional that others just can’t match," said Buchanan.

After participating in the third and final Test match in Sydney against Pakistan, David Warner ended an incredible career in the sport. Although he has stepped down from ODIs, he has made himself accessible in case Australia needs him to make a comeback in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

With an average of 44.59 from 112 Tests, the 37-year-old concluded with 8,786 runs. In the game’s longest format, he finished with an amazing strike rate of 70.19 thanks to his aggressive hitting. Warner, on the other hand, amassed 6,932 runs at an average of 45.30 and a strike rate of 97.26 in 161 ODIs. With 2,894 runs at an average of 32.88 and a strike rate of 141.30, the small batsman is one match away from playing 100 Twenty20 internationals.

John Buchanan, the former head coach of Australia, believes that players like Don Bradman, Glenn McGrath, and Shane Warne are deserving of the title of “great,” while Warner does not qualify.

“I don’t think so [when asked whether Warner was a ‘great’]. I think he’s certainly performed exceptionally well throughout this career, he sits on 8000+ runs, he’s played over 100 Test matches, over 160 one-dayers and nearly 100 T20s. His averages are reasonable compared to all those in the various formats, his strike rate is obviously higher because of the way he plays the game. On performance base, he’s right up there,” the 70-year-old said while speaking on SEN Breakfast.

“But greats of the game, in my opinion, are people that really do and have done something exceptional that others just can’t match, so therefore you automatically go to the (Don) Bradmans, (Glenn) McGraths, the (Shane) Warnes, they’re the greats in my opinion. Others come close, but are just not in that category and I don’t see Warner in that category,” Buchanan added.

Among the most successful cricket coaches in history is Buchanan. The Australian squad won the Champions Trophy in 2006 and two ODI World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007. Warner has left large shoes to fill, even though his brilliance may be contested in the years to come.

A two-match Test series between Australia and the West Indies is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, January 17 in Adelaide. It would be intriguing to watch who Usman Khawaja opens for on behalf of the Pat Cummins-led team.

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