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Dave Warner needs a warning, now

David Warner walks off the field. (Photo: AP)
Roar Guru
19th January, 2015
7

Australian cricketer David Warner needs to apologise in person and sincerely after his “speak English” comment during the One day International against India at the MCG on Sunday.

Australia won the tension filled match, but it was David Warner’s comments that made headlines. Warner told Rohit Sharma to “speak English” after a controversial overthrow incident.

Warner has since defended his comments, saying that Sharma spoke to him in his native Hindi, which he couldn’t understand. He then asked Sharma to speak in English. It is however the tone in which Warner delivered his comments that is under fire.

It wasn’t as bad as when Harbhajan Singh called Andrew Simmonds a monkey in 2008 but Warner’s comments, particularly these days, are edgy, and in my view not worth the risk and the flack that occurs afterwards.

In January 2008 the Indian tour of Australia was on the brink of collapse. The Australians alleged that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh had called Andrew Simmonds a monkey during the second Test in Sydney. Singh was consequently banned for three matches for the racially abusive remarks.

Similar actions, in this case from India would be embarrassing and a major blight on the game.

To some, Warner’s comments could be construed as non-offensive, even harmless, but who are we to tell another how to react to words particularly when apparently, they’re being said with a certain degree of pugnacity.

In the heat of the moment within a contest or when one is not thinking clearly words can be spoken that offend and embarrass. We must be better than that.

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Sledging on the cricket field has been going on for ever, and as I have previously said I have no problem with a jibe, to gain a psychological advantage, provided it’s not offensive in a religious or personal way. And as long as the issue can be laughed about beyond stumps.

I can remember a number of years ago hosting a function in Adelaide and former Adelaide 36ers Basketball player Mark Davis was in attendance. Mark is an American Australian from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Without considering the consequences, or the audience, I made a joke that reflected Mark’s colour. It generated a laugh and I didn’t give it a second thought. I glanced down at Mark who was smiling.

However, Mark pulled me up after the event and told me he wasn’t offended, but others may have been. It was a poignant lesson.

It was a good example of words not sounding disrespectful to the person that mouths them until that person is spoken too and educated.

Warner was fined 50 per cent of his match fee over the incident by the ICC but he appears lucky according to former New Zealand Test batsman Martin Crowe. Crowe wants a cards system in place for such incidents. Two Yellow cards within six months and you’re banned for six months.

David Warner is a brilliant cricketer and brings so much to the game, he doesn’t need to stoop to these depths to gain an edge. He must now apologise to Sharma in person and then get on with the show.

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