Australia batsman David Warner has been suspended from all cricket up to the first Ashes Test this summer and fined 11,500 Australian dollars (€8,240) after accepting a charge of unbecoming behaviour for an attack on England batsman Joe Root, Cricket Australia has confirmed.
Warner pleaded guilty to breaching Cricket Australia’s code of behaviour during the incident, which occurred in Birmingham’s Walkabout theme pub in the early hours of Sunday morning following England’s 48-run win at Edgbaston.
Warner had faced the possibility of being sent home and missing the remainder of the English summer, but despite being banned from the remainder of the Champions Trophy and both Ashes warm-up matches, he will be available for the series opener at Trent Bridge next month.
The disciplinary hearing, which took place via teleconference, was chaired by Justice Gordon Lewis, CA’s senior code of behaviour commissioner.
A statement released by the governing body read: “Cricket Australia advises that David Warner has been suspended and fined for breaching the Cricket Australia Code of Behaviour.
“At a hearing tonight, Warner pleaded guilty to breaching Rule 6: Unbecoming Behaviour. CA Senior Code of Behaviour Commissioner, The Hon. Justice Gordon Lewis AM, fined 11,500 Australian dollars and suspended from the remainder of Australia’s ICC Champions Trophy campaign as well as the Australian team’s two tour matches before the first Ashes Test against Somerset and Worcestershire. Warner will be eligible for selection for the first Test.”
The punishment makes questionable sporting sense, not least because Warner’s chances of making the final XI for the first Test against England will be severely, if not fatally, hampered by his lack of competitive action beforehand.
Warner is understood to have aimed a punch at 22-year-old Root, who was wearing a fancy dress wig, before players from both sides made swift exits from the pub.
Warner was said to have paid the bar tab and apologised to Root the following day.
The fact that Warner has not been banned for a Test match jars somewhat with that fact that four players, including vice-captain Shane Watson, were stood down from a Test match in India earlier this year for the comparatively minor issue of failing to complete a homework assignment.
Warner has also got recent form in disciplinary matters, earning a fine last month for a foul-mouthed tweet exchange with two Australian journalists.
The left-handed batsman was dropped from yesterday’s Champions Trophy match against New Zealand pending today’s hearing, but did complete warm-ups with his team-mates and carried drinks in his role as 12th man.
Australia’s stand-in one-day captain George Bailey laid the foundations for Warner to remain on tour after that match was washed out, saying: “It’s disappointing from my point of view, but it’s a very minor incident and it’s being dealt with in-house.
“I really enjoy playing cricket with him (Warner). I love his enthusiasm, I love his energy, I love the way he plays. I’m looking forward to hopefully playing a lot more with him in whatever career I have.”
The tone of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s official statement on the matter yesterday was significantly harder.
It read: “The ECB confirms that David Warner initiated an unprovoked physical attack on a member of the England team in a Birmingham bar following England’s 48-run victory over Australia.
“Warner has admitted behaving inappropriately and has since apologised to the player involved who has accepted the apology.
“Following a full investigation the England team management has concluded that the England player was in no way responsible for nor retaliated to the attack.”
Root suffered no physical injuries and was with the England side ahead of their match Group A match against Sri Lanka at The Oval.
