David Warner’s docile days are over, with Australia’s vice-captain wanting his team to deliver noise and nastiness during the Ashes.
Warner was a serial sledger early in his international career but has become a far-more silent statesman in latter years.
The hard-hitting opener has rarely been cautioned by umpires since his most-recent fine, resulting from a heated exchange with India’s Rohit Sharma during a 2015 ODI.
But Warner recently called on his side to find their inner “hatred” of England during the five-Test series that starts on November 23 in Brisbane.
The 30-year-old, who memorably accused England of having “scared eyes” during the 2013-14 series, outlined on Tuesday how he wanted to make life uncomfortable for the tourists.
“That’s something that has sort of fallen out from our game, with bowlers not being able to stare at batters,” Warner said, bemoaning how sanitised the sport had become.
“I love it as a batsman … (if a bowler) gives me a little bit of an earful or something, then it gets you going. It’s exciting – people want to see that.
“Hopefully, there is a bit of banter when we’re out there … we copped a little bit of banter when we were in India. That was exciting – I liked it.
“We just have to be cautious because, sometimes, the ICC and umpires take action over little things … every time I open my mouth, I get a point deducted or I get a fine of some sort, whether I’ve overstepped the line or not.”
The International Cricket Council has cracked down on misbehaviour in recent years, while introducing a points system, although Australia’s Test tour of India earlier this year was marred by a series of send-offs and stoushes.
“I would like to see it like a bit of State of Origin. Let things just flow on and you deal with everything afterwards,” Warner quipped at a promotional event for Asics.
“Let a couple of penalties go.”
Warner noted every player needed to be “very, very subtle” because of stump microphones, highlighting Michael Clarke’s infamous sledge from four years ago.
Clarke called on England paceman Jimmy Anderson to “get ready for a broken f***ing arm” at the Gabba during the first chapter of Australia’s 5-0 series win.
“People turn around and go ‘woah, I wouldn’t have expected that to happen on a cricket field’ but that’s the aggression that happens,” Warner said.
“When it comes to the Ashes, it’s a massive thing for us.”
Roshan
Guest
BBri
DLKN
Guest
I think we've all known that "D!ckhead David" Warner was never far away from resurfacing...
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
That's the general perception of many fans... but it's the aussie tradition to sledge the poms. The only thing that matters is he and the team back up the trash talk with victories.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Nothing wrong with a sledge, as long as they can back it up with runs, wickets and victories. Because at the end of the day, the only thing that matters to the fans, is results.
XI
Roar Guru
Players like Warner make it hard to cheer for the Australian cricket team. I shouldn't feel the need to take a shower after every wicket.
peterct
Guest
Someone hose him down. Mouth operating before brain engaged......again. We all heard some of his stupid comments during the pay dispute and now that he's had a sleep off he goes again. Why he has drawn an analogy with war is beyond me. Let me reflect for a moment. First ball at the Gabba v's D-Day invasion. No, can't quite match them up. I suggest he visits the War Memorial to reconsider his selection of metaphors. Concur with your sentiments that Warner has proven, yet again, why he isn’t fit to captain the Test side. It would be embarrassing and would perhaps establish a new benchmark on this countries level of intelligence.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I'm not concerned about Stokes although his violence was appalling. I say it because of the call from Starc. Aussie crowds don't need to be told who to sledge and international cricketers would not care about punters beyond the boundary anyway (as long as they are sober). Starc is a prolific sledge himself so he can manage to get fired up by himself.
Simoc
Guest
On the video it was from in front against someone who wasn't fighting or wanting to fight. If the guy had hit his head and died when he fell it would be the same as the one punch deaths we have here from time to time.
Paul
Roar Guru
completely agree
Bellamorey
Guest
Except it's not war. It's a game of cricket.
Sydneysider
Guest
A lot of Aussies find this style of sledging pathetic. Pull your head in Warner you bogan.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Poor petal Stokes. It would be so unfair if anyone in the crowd called him out for knocking someone out from behind.
jameswm
Roar Guru
You do realise that for some, like Davey, going to war is a big part of the fun of it.
Curious George
Guest
So the big question is whether Stokes will turn up to the series late if England are down 2-0 before boxing day
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Starc's call for the crowd to bait Stokes is way worse I think. The English are pretty good at sledging anyway. Ando and Broad are always mouthing off. So was Stokes until he actually clocked someone. India too are incessant. I prefer the jokey stuff but umps should intervene when it becomes abusive. Anyway let the games begin.
Brian
Guest
The less he speaks the better.
Paul
Roar Guru
Warner has proven, yet again, why he isn't fit to captain the Test side. If he want's to sledge, do so because the rules of cricket allow it, but don't step over the line. More to the point, don't suggest it's okay to step over the line. What clown would publicly announce the need to "find your inner hatred", then soon after, tell everyone it should be okay to sledge about things the ICC has banned? Great message for the kids playing the game, Warner I hope he continues to get a lot of runs because CA and the selectors remember stupid comments like this.
George
Guest
Yawn.
Jake
Guest
Warner is just adding interest to what will be an otherwise boring summer of english capitulation and 2/3 day test matches.
Bellamorey
Guest
God it gets tiresome listening to this moron and his ilk. Why Does it have to be a faux war all the time? Can't you just play sport for the fun of it? Can't you be grateful that you make a substantial living out of a glorified pastime? McGrath did it, now Starc does it. There's nothing sadder than a guy dressed all in white who leaves the field every 2 hours to eat cucumber sandwiches trying to act the tough guy. Grow up.