David Warner Archives

Smith to lead Australia in India ODIs, Warner returns

NEW DELHI: Steve Smith will lead Australia in the upcoming one-day international series against India as David Warner returns to the side after recovering from an elbow injury, selectors said Tuesday.

The three-match series beginning Friday will give the Australians more useful practice on local wickets ahead of the ODI World Cup in India later this year.

Smith will stand in for Pat Cummins, who returned home after leading Australia in the first two Test matches to care for his ailing mother who died last week.

The visitors lost the series 2-1 — the fourth straight defeat to India — with the last match in Ahmedabad ending in a draw on Monday.

Star batsman Warner played in the first two Tests but returned to Australia after a blow to the head and injuring his elbow.

He was due to rejoin the squad in Mumbai on Tuesday following “two final rehabilitation sessions on his elbow”, Cricket Australia said.

Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Josh Inglis, Ashton Agar and Nathan Ellis — coming in for Jhye Richardson — arrived in India on Friday and trained in Ahmedabad.

Squad:

Steve Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

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Injured Warner ruled out of India tour as Australia problems grow

SYDNEY: Australia opening batsman David Warner will return home from India and miss the last two Tests after an elbow fracture and concussion, Cricket Australia said Tuesday.

It is the second injury blow in two days for struggling Australia, who are 2-0 down in the four-Test series.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was sent home Monday after failing to recover from an Achilles tendon injury.

Warner was hit on the helmet shortly after being struck on the elbow on the opening day of the second Test defeat in Delhi. He was replaced by concussion substitute Matt Renshaw.

Warner, who scored just 26 runs as Australia lost both of the opening two matches, will miss the third and fourth Tests at Indore and Ahmedabad but it is hoped he can return for the subsequent one-day series.

“David Warner has been ruled out of the Test tour of India and will return home,” a Cricket Australia statement said.

“After further assessment, he will require a period of rehabilitation which will preclude any further involvement in the remainder of the Test series.

“It is currently anticipated that he will return to India for the three one-day internationals which follow the Test series.”

Australia captain Pat Cummins has also flown home because of a family illness but is expected to return in time for the third Test, which starts on March 1.

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Australian veteran Warner slams double century in 100th Test

Melbourne: Australia’s veteran opener David Warner hit a double century on Tuesday against South Africa in his 100th Test before being helped off the Melbourne Cricket Ground in agony.

En route to three figures, the 36-year-old passed 8,000 Test runs — the eighth Australian to do so — after coming into the game under pressure after a lean run.

He notched his first Test century since January 2020 to prove the doubters wrong on day two of the second Test and with the opposition bowlers tiring in searing heat, he battled the elements and converted it to 200.

His third Test double century came off 254 balls with 16 fours and two sixes in a test of endurance in the heat.

He needed treatment for cramp several times and eventually retired in pain on 200, helped off the field.

Warner, who dropped to his knees which he reached 200, insisted before the match that “you’re never out of form”.

“They’re not the words that I use and they’re definitely not used in our change rooms,” he said. “It’s about (being) out of runs.”

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‘Unsafe for me and kids’: Candice Warner faces ‘Vile Abuse’ at Adelaide Oval

ADELAIDE: Candice Warner, wife of David Warner – former skipper of the Australian Cricket Team – faced ‘vile abuse’ at the hands of some unruly fans at the Adelaide Oval here.

Candice, who hosts a local radio show in the country with co-hosts Harley Breen and Tom Tiley, opened up on the terrifying incident she and her girls, Ivy and Indy, faced at the second test match of the national team against West Indies.

Sharing the ordeal, Candice revealed how a group of wild fans attacked her and girls with vile abuses at the match last week, and why she decided to confront the men.

“Saturday afternoon at Adelaide Oval, just before the lunch break, the girls wanted to see their dad, so we went from one area of Adelaide Oval to the other. It was probably about 200m,” the cricketer’s wife recalled.

She added, “In that time, I had two of my three daughters, my 8-year-old and my 3-year-old, we were walking hand-in-hand.”

“As we’re walking past a huge group of people, it was a group of five or six men who just started throwing vile abuse at me. I continued to walk and then I just stopped and I looked around at this group of men and it was one guy in particular,” Candice detailed.

“And they were laughing and they were pointing. And they thought what they did was okay.”

“So I decided to confront them. I didn’t have to, but with my girls in my hands, I thought it was really important to confront them because for us, my actions need to mirror the messages I give to my kids.”

“So I confronted them and like any group of men who have been drinking, they were weak, they were gutless, they didn’t own up to what they did and the man who was actually yelling this abuse was hiding behind his friend.”

Furthermore, Candice expressed her disappointment over the fact that those men thought the whole situation was funny and didn’t brave to own their mistake.

Moreover, the former ironwoman was disheartened to see that not a single person from ‘packed stadium’ bothered to come to their assistance as they saw her and the kids being bullied.

“The sad thing is that in a time when we’re trying to encourage more women, more girls to participate in sport, to attend sport, that I’m now starting to feel like it’s not safe for me and my kids to attend sport and support their father,” she concluded.

When further questioned if the men apologised upon being confronted, Candice refused, however, mentioned that one of those men from the group DMed her on Instagram.

“I didn’t say anything, but I also didn’t speak out so I’m very sorry about that and I’m sorry he said what he said. I know this won’t make up for anything but I just wanted to say sorry,” she read the message.

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Cricket Australia considers easing rules to lift Warner’s captaincy ban

MELBOURNE: David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban may be lifted as soon as this Friday, as Cricket Australia’s (CA) board of directors is considering revising the organization’s code of ethics, reported Australian news agency.

Warner has been facing a captaincy ban since the 2018 ball-tempering controversy and on various occasions, he expressed his eagerness to get the suspension overturned.

The 35-year-old has now been considered a contender to lead Australia in the limited-overs format since Aaron Finch announced his retirement from one-day internationals and will consider his T20 future after the upcoming World Cup.

Under present CA rules, a player who accepts a sanction under the code of ethics forgoes his right to have the matter reviewed, which means the code has to be rewritten in order to lift Warner’s ban. The director will ponder over the matter on Friday at the board’s meeting in Hobart.

“The view within Cricket Australia is that David is doing particularly well on the field and making a great contribution off the field,” said CA Chairman Lachlan Henderson as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.com.

“The first step in terms of David’s leadership ban is to review the code and see if those sanctions are able to be reviewed. And the appropriate revisions to that code that would need to be made.” he told.

He added: “Our intention is to review the code as quick as is practical. It’s not in anyone’s interest for us to delay that,” Henderson said. “It would be in time for any future leadership conversations in relation to David.”

Meanwhile, CEO Nick Hockley expressed that players had a right to prove they had changed since the point of receiving a lifetime ban.

“In very simple terms, we are looking at sanctions to be reviewed for good behaviour and growth after a period of time. Pending tomorrow’s discussion, there would then need to be a revision of the code and that would need to be approved by the board.” he said.

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Warner to revive BBL career with Sydney Thunder

SYDNEY: Big-hitting Australian batsman David Warner Sunday signed a two-year deal with Sydney Thunder, ending a nine-year absence from the Big Bash League.

The 35-year-old opener has not played in the domestic Twenty20 competition since 2013 and said he wanted to get involved again to help support the next generation.

“I’m really excited to get back to the Big Bash with the club where I started,” said Warner, a veteran of 96 Tests, 133 ODIs and 91 T20 games for Australia.

“I care deeply about the game, and I am conscious that the conditions that I enjoy as a professional cricketer have largely come from other senior players who have come before me.

“That is how the game is structured and I understand that my contribution to the future of the BBL will hopefully benefit the next generation of players long after I am retired.”

Warner has not represented Thunder since the third BBL season, where he played just one game. He also played a single game for them in the inaugural season, and has appeared once for the Sydney Sixers.

He will join the team after his international commitments end in January and could be available for as many as five regular season matches.

“The club has a tremendous group of young talented batters and leaders, with the likes of Jason Sangha, Ollie Davies, Matt Gilkes and Baxter Holt,” said Thunder head coach Trevor Bayliss.

“They will all benefit greatly from Davey’s experience and guidance.”

The BBL season starts on December 13 when Thunder face the Melbourne Stars.

READ: Cricket Australia likely to lift lifetime captaincy ban from Warner: Reports

‘I don’t like injustice’ Warner’s wife questions captaincy ban by Australia

MELBOURNE: David Warner’s wife Candice Warner has raised concerns over the unfair treatment meted out to her husband due to life long leadership ban by Cricket Australia (CA).

Candice opened up on the leadership ban handed down by CA for Warner’s involvement in the infamous ball-tampering scandal during the Cape Town Test match against South Africa in 2018 and called it an injustice.

“Yeah, it bothers me. I don’t like injustice, so it does bother me. My job wasn’t to question my husband, it was about supporting David at that time,” she said while speaking to Triple M, an Australian commercial radio network.

In the aftermath of the ball-tampering controversy, Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft faced a one-year suspension from every form of cricket. Despite, all three players have successfully returned to cricket, the leadership ban remains in place.

Furthermore, Candice addressed concerns voiced about Warner’s likely absence from the upcoming edition of Big Bash League, stating that the decision to participate or not would be based on the family’s interests.

“Regardless of whether the ban is lifted or not, if he plays Big Bash, it’s a decision we talk about what’s best for the family during the period,” she added.

“Also there’s another league going on in the UAE, which financially (has) much bigger money. It’s not just a matter of lifting Dave’s ban, it’s a matter of what’s best for our family,” she concluded

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Cricket Australia likely to lift lifetime captaincy ban from Warner: Reports

MELBOURNE: The Cricket Australia (CA) is likely to consider lifting the lifetime ban from their left-handed opener David Warner, The West Australian newspaper reported.

According to the details, Warner, who faced a lifetime ban from leadership roles by CA after the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, can now be allowed to hold a leadership role as the cricketing body is likely to review their decision.

During a Test match against South Africa in 2018, the Australian opener Camron Bancroft was caught altering the condition of the ball with sandpaper. After the investigation carried out by CA, the then captain Steve Smith, vice-captain Warner, and opener Bancroft were charged for the misconduct.

The investigation revealed Warner to be the mastermind of the shameful act and hence was handed the strongest punishment. While Bancroft was banned from playing for nine months, Smith and Warner were banned for a full year.

In addition, Warner received a lifetime ban from team leadership positions, while Bancroft and Smith received shorter bans of one and two years, respectively.

According to the recent report by the Australian newspaper, however, the CA are set to review Warner’s lifetime ban in July. And it is claimed the decision is an attempt to try and persuade Warner to play in the Big Bash (BBL) again, with the league suffering from flagging interest.

Henceforth, the General Manager of the BBL Alistair Dobson also hinted at Warner’s return to the league as the captain, in an interview with the local media house News Corp.

“I know we’d love to have Dave in the BBL and if there are other things that need to happen to make that possible, that’s for others to resolve,” Dobson said. “David has been such a champion of Australian cricket and he’s a player that we’d love to have in the BBL,” Dobson stated.

“We know he’s got great history with the Sydney Thunder and we’d love all the Australian players to be playing in the BBL if they’re available. If there’s a way that David could find his way onto a BBL list I think it would be huge,” he concluded.

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‘The hospitality was second to none’ Warner recalls historic Pakistan tour

MELBOURNE: The left-handed Australian opener David Warner opened up about his experience of the historic Pakistan tour and praised the hospitality of the nation.

Warner recalled his visit to Pakistan for the Australia cricket team’s historic tour to the country after a 24-year gap on a Fox Cricket programme, describing the hospitality as “second to none.”

“The hospitality was second to none and I’ve never had so much barbecued meat in my life. It was superb,” Warner stated.

The left-handed opener also expressed his joy in being a part of the historic series while also admitting that the players were a bit concerned and scared.

“It was a series that needed to be and I was glad I was a part of it. We were a little worried and scared but we had a lot of confidence in the communications between Cricket Australia, the High Commission over there, and the Pakistan Government. It was just a great series to be a part of,” Warner said.

Warner also discussed the funny staredown between him and Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi while terming the latter “a likeable character.”

“Yeah look he’s just a big gentle giant. We had some battles before. He’s just a lot likeable character. He obviously bowls with pace,” Warner shared.

READ: Bowlers shine as Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka on 102/6 in the first innings

‘Could not take part in PSL due to international cricket’ Warner

KARACHI: Australia’s left-handed opener David Warner has revealed that he does not take part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to Australia’s international matches, here on Thursday.

Warner, while talking to the virtual press conference, has revealed the reason behind him not participating in the marquee event of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“We are often playing international cricket during the window of the PSL. That is the reason why I could not take part in the tournament,” he said.

Warner further said that he is enjoying his time in Pakistan and thinks that entertainment is a must to keep entertaining the crowd.

“I think entertainment is a must. I try to make cricket fans enjoy being on the ground,” he said.

Warner further appreciated the support from the Pakistan cricket fans and said they are very passionate and cricket-loving people.

“My fans follow me on Instagram and also come to the ground for support. The amount of support we have received in Pindi is unbelievable and I think these people are very passionate and love cricket so much,” he said.

The left-handed opener then went on to opine about the Karachi Test and the playing conditions on offer said it is a bit strange for us.

“Karachi’s wicket is a bit strange to us. Playing on the wicket here will also be a challenge,” he said.

“We will analyze the pitch during the practice session,” he added.

The left-handed opener however is determined to perform well in the Karachi Test. He also thanked the PCB, Cricket Australia (CA), and Pakistan’s law-enforcement agencies for making this tour a success.

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