On David Warner Being A 'Great', World Cup Winning Australia Coach's Explosive "Don't Think So" Comment

Former coach John Buchanan, who oversaw Australia's two 50-over World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007, does not consider David Warner as one of the greats of the game, saying the title should be reserved for exceptional cricketers like Don Bradman and Shane Warne. Buchanan was in charge of one of the most successful Australian sides between 1999 to 2007. Warner, who retired from Test cricket last week, did not play under him as he made his Australia debut in 2009. Asked whether Warner was a “great”, Buchanan, speaking on SEN Breakfast, replied: “I don't think so".

The 70-year-old Buchanan, under whom Australia won the 2006 Champions Trophy and etched a world record 16 consecutive Test wins twice, said greats of the game are those who have done something exceptional that others just can't match.

“I think he (Warner) has certainly performed exceptionally well throughout this career, he sits on 8000 runs, he's played over 100 Test matches, over 160 ODIs 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. 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, (Shane) Warnes, they're the greats in my opinion." The 37-year-old Warner finished his Test career on 112 matches with 8786 runs -- 22nd all-time -- at an average of 44.59 and an impressive strike rate of 70.19.

He also scored 6932 runs at 45.30 and a strike rate of 97.26 in ODI cricket -- sixth best for Australia and 48th overall.

Meanwhile, Warner confirmed to