David Warner was once again the centre of all attention as Australia wrapped up a 118-run win over South Africa in the first Test at Durban.
The Aussie opener’s run-in with Quinton de Kock during the tea interval on the fourth day dominated discussions as a leaked CCTV footage of the incident appeared. The 31-year-old was shown being physically restrained by Usman Khawaja and other team-mates as his verbal altercation with the South Africa wicket-keeper escalated.
The incident has become a major talking in the series with Cricket Australia opening their own investigation into it. This is not the first time that the combative Warner has been in the news for the wrong reasons.
Here, we take a look at some of the biggest controversies from the left-hander’s checkered history.
WAR WITH AUSTRALIAN JOURNOS
In 2013, respected Australian journalist Robert Craddock wrote a negative comment piece on the Indian Premier League (IPL), describing it as a ‘smouldering cesspit’. It had carried an image of Warner playing in the competition on its cover.
Then playing for the Delhi Daredevils, Warner took umbrage to Craddock’s piece and responded with a public volley on Twitter. He then got into a social media fighting match with other Australian journalists who sought to defend Craddock, responding with multiple expletives in his arguments.
Warner was ultimately fined $5,750 by Cricket Australia for the incident.
Warner launched a personal attack on Craddock.
PUNCHGATE WITH JOE ROOT
Warner’s lowest moment in international cricket came during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy in England. After Australia’s clash against the hosts in Birmingham, Warner allegedly attempted to punch Joe Root in a bar after taking offence to the Englishman’s green and gold coloured wig.
The controversy blew up overnight with the Australian being suspended for the rest of the tournament by Cricket Australia along with the first Test of the Ashes series which followed the ICC meet.
He was also forced to issue a public apology for his role and sent to South Africa to join up with the Australia A squad.
Warner was forced to issue a public apology for his attempted punch on Root.
‘SPEAK IN ENGLISH’ JIBE TO ROHIT SHARMA
During an ODI between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2015, Warner had become involved in an altercation with Rohit Sharma.
The incident resulted from Rohit stealing an overthrow run after an erratic throw by Warner. The Australian could not digest this fact and came charging at the Indian batsman with both umpires having to step in to separate the two players.
Warner was overheard saying ‘speak in English’ to Rohit in the ensuing verbal argument, something he later described as a ‘genuine’ attempt to understand what the Indian player was saying.
Warner did not enjoy Rohit stealing an extra run for his overthrow.
