What is going through David Warner’s head? Not much it seems.
Australia are undoubtedly a great cricket side. The current team have some world-class players, and arguably Warner probably rates as one of the best.
But he does the baggy green and cricket Australia a disservice. At best he’s an extremely talented yet petulant child. At worst, he’s a yobbo with license to carry on as he sees fit on a world stage.
I’ll show my colours; I’m a Kiwi. No surprises there, a Kiwi bagging Aussie cricketers. And it’s true there are times I’ve been less than charitable to the Australian cricket side. Sometimes they deserved it, sometimes they didn’t.
But more often than not the comments were tongue in cheek, or returning fire in a bit of banter and there is a begrudging respect for the way Australia play the game.
I spent a few years living in Adelaide and loved watching games at the Oval. I loved the crowds, I loved the banter, and more than anything I loved the way the domestic teams played the game.
I remember travelling to Sydney in 2009 to watch the Black Caps play Australia in an ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Yes, New Zealand lost. But in another chapter of cricketing theatre, Grant Elliott scored a hundred and Brendon McCullum batted with a busted hand to almost steal victory. Almost.
Despite Australia having dropped a few games going into the match, it was played in good spirits. There was nothing I could yell at the Australian players that their own fans weren’t already yelling, and more.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
I will never forget one of the locals turning to us, casting a critical eye over our beige supporter’s gear and saying ‘I do love your fawn and mocha tops’ before offering a beer.
There was so much to enjoy about that day, from the pre-match yarns in the surrounding pubs, the banter with the fans at the ground, to just enjoying the iconic members stand and quality of the match itself.
The series between New Zealand and England has been played in good spirits and has been a fantastic watch so far with some dramatic finishes. The Australia-South Africa series should be a step up again. It doesn’t need guys abusing each other or being separated off the field to create interest. Let the quality of cricket speak for itself.
But these days Australia seem a bit more focused on flexing their muscle than playing the game.
In 2016, Warner responded to the ICC crack down on sledging and trotted out this gem: “People think I’m this big, muscly guy that can give it to people on the field and whatnot, but that’s just how I play my game, that’s how I get up (for the occasion) and it’s what helps me strive to succeed for our team.”
Warner is five feet 7, and 75kg. It is interesting that is how he sees himself. Is that what all the noise and posturing is really about, some sort of need to prove himself as the big man at every opportunity? I sincerely hope not; his bat does more than enough talking.
Warner is making it harder and harder to respect Australian cricket. His childish on and off-field outbursts serve only to illustrate the current lack of leadership in the Australian team and his own lack of imagination.
The reality is there have been no repercussions for Warner’s behaviour. It’s all been swept up into some sort of broad definition of gamesmanship endorsed by captain, coach and cricket Australia.
(Independent Media screenshot)
There is such a thing as being poor winners.
How is his behaviour acceptable? Would the Australian public accept this if it was Bernard Tomic or Nick Kyrgios? The why accept it from Warner?
His supporters will say it’s because he’s passionate about representing Australia. I don’t doubt that.
If he’s really passionate about representing Australia then maybe he should respect its history too and just take a moment before he speaks. If he can spot a fast ball and crack it to the fence in 0.5 of a second, he can certainly pause before barking ‘speak English’ at Virat Kholi.
Warner has stated he is considering a post cricket career in politics, and in some respects his attitude probably wouldn’t hurt with that particular vocation.
And that’s the thing; if he is starting to think about his future after the game, maybe he should start thinking about his legacy to the game.
Does he want to be remembered as the guy with the big bat, or the guy with the big mouth?
Objective
Guest
didn't do debating at school then, mate ?
Don Freo
Guest
What young kids are watching this game? Even so, the rubbish is only made public to kids if adult journos draw it to the attention of young kids. Don't blame the players for something that remains private unless unaccountable adults are irresponsible. The South African Independent Media is the culprit...followed by Graeme Smith et al.
Chris
Guest
Reallly... What is the point of sledging someone in a language they don't understand? Honestly what is the point? For a long time the noble art art of "mental disintegration" was celebrated by the Ozzies. How will I do that with my opponent not knowing what I am saying. I am genuinely curious.
Alan Cosmo
Guest
All things taken into consideration Warners comments on the field were uncalled for and he got what he deserved back. Sledging has no boundaries as can seen by the foul mouthed Australians. So if Warner can give it he needs to take it back in any size or form otherwise shut his mouth. As for Steve Smith, he is probably the bigger fool in all this and needs to show what a captain is really about and not defend the Antics of Warner. How Blind is he. As for Warners Vice Captaincy and prospect for Future Australian Captaincy, I think I remember an incident back in the Warne Years which cost him captaining Australia. Lets see how fair dinkum the ACB is. Remember Young kids are watching these games and are influenced by the antics of these fools who represent our wonderful country.
Chris
Guest
Yes, If you fancy yourself hard, be hard or go home. The funny part is no one in SA would have cared about Warner's missus until this happened, but since theb they had to explain the alleged sledge in the media and I find it all hilarious.
Chris
Guest
What did Dr Kock say?
Chris
Guest
No, we just think Warner and the people supporting him are a joke
Chris
Guest
What did Dr Kick say?
Savage
Roar Rookie
That statement was made in OCT 2017(almost 3 year after that incident) and why would Indian team deny.They didn't confirm also.Good job for finally finding that statement btw. Unfortunately it still doesn't prove anything.Here what's warner said previously “When I went over to say something to him, he sort of said something in their language and I said ‘speak English’ because, if you're going to say something for me to understand, theoretically I cannot speak Hindi,” It clearly suggests that warner hasn't learned Hindi enough to understand that Sharma was sledging.And any sensible person wouldn't argue against it. "Everyone knows what happened. You don’t have a leg to stand on here." that's exactly your problem.Nobody knows exactly what happened.Nobody knows whether Sharma sledged Warner(it's all speculation) and You won't find any article saying "R sharma sledged warner in Hindi"(lol!). This is the reason why I didn't like your statement "Unless you’re both blind and deaf, it was apparent for all the world to see that Sharma was sledging in Hindi".I am not deaf nor blind and I didn't find any thing to suggest that Sharma was sledging Warner in Hindi. I have just as much Idea to what happened as anybody who watched that incident in TV
Don Freo
Guest
The craziest thing about all this is that the fact that Oz won against the Saffas so comfortably when they were tipped to be done like a dinner. The quality of Mitch Starc, the consistency of Josh Hazlewood, the depth of Mitch Marsh, the brilliant keeping of Tim Paine, the sharp captaincy of Steve Smith, the short leg catching of Cam Bancroft, the opening partnerships of Warner and Bancroft, all go unmentioned because some grubby writer wants to sludge around in a change room argument. Chat about the cricket. If you argue that cricket is being spoiled by behaviour and all you ever do is discuss behaviour instead of cricket, you are the culprits.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Seriously? "But if I said what he was saying to me, in English, and you could lip read me - I'll still get in trouble anyway," ESPNCricinfo quoted Warner as saying. Do you understand that version better? Any denials from the Indian team? No. Everyone knows what happened. You don't have a leg to stand on here.
Bob Pacey
Guest
Spot on sSheek. My experience has been that the biggest mouths (eg. Davey) are the lamest priks.
Bob Pacey
Guest
Ah, yes...
Bob Pacey
Guest
Warner quite obviously can't take it either sport.
Bob Pacey
Guest
Not even close to steadfastly denying it. Has Steven become deaf recently?
Bob Pacey
Guest
Because he knew he'd won JamesH.
Savage
Roar Rookie
Matthew Pearce I have just as much Idea to what happend as anybody who watched that incident in TV. Yes It doesn't prove that Sharma never sledged in HIndi but How exactly does it prove that Sharma sledged in HIndi(which was your original statement) Here is your original statement to which I replied "Unless you’re both blind and deaf, it was apparent for all the world to see that Sharma was sledging in Hindi" you are 100% confident in the first place(not me) as if you were exactly there when that incident happened and yet you provided 0 evidence that Sharma sledged in Hindi.
Savage
Roar Rookie
Matthew Pearce Yes It doesn't prove that Sharma never sledged in HIndi but How exactly does it prove that Sharma sledged in HIndi(which was your original statement) Here is your original statement to which I replied "Unless you’re both blind and deaf, it was apparent for all the world to see that Sharma was sledging in Hindi" you are 100% confident in the first place(not me) as if you were exactly there and yet you provided 0 evidence that Sharma sledged in Hindi.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
+1
Matt P
Roar Rookie
"It can only insinuate Sharma never sledged in Hindi" That is not what that saying means, ever. It means that it would be inappropriate for Warner to repeat his statement in a work and public environment. I love how you're happy to maintain that I'm "completely wrong" even though you've just plainly demonstrated you have no idea what happened. Peace out, man. Give up while you're ahead.