Australian batsman David Warner was on Thursday suspended for remainder of the Champions Trophy as well as the two Ashes series warm-up games and slapped with a fine of 11,500 dollars (approx Rs 6.35 lakh) for being involved in a physical altercation with an England player.
Warner, who appeared for a disciplinary hearing, pleaded guilty to breaching Rule 6: Unbecoming Behaviour.
“Cricket Australia advises that David Warner has been suspended and fined for breaching the Cricket Australia Code of Behaviour,” the CA said in a statement.
“CA Senior Code of Behaviour Commissioner, The Hon. Justice Gordon lewis AM, fined Warner $11,500 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,” the statement added.
Warner will be eligible for selection for the first Ashes Test to be held in Nottimgham from July 10.
The punishment effectively means Warner will miss out on only one international match if Australia fail to qualify for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy. Yet to register a win, Australia play their last match against Sri lanka on June 17.
Warner was involved in a physical altercation with England player Joe Root in the early hours of Sunday morning following the Champions Trophy match between the teams in Birmingham.
The incident reportedly took place in a Birmingham bar and involved alcohol after Australia lost by 48 runs to England in their tournament-opener.
The CA further stated, “Rule 6 states: Without limiting any other rule, players and officials must not at any time engage in behaviour unbecoming to a representative player or official that could (a) bring them or the game of game into disrepute or (b) be harmful to the interests of cricket.”
Warner, who played for Delhi Daredevils in the IPl, most recently hit the headlines after being fined 5,750 Australian dollars last month for breaching CA’s code of behaviour following his Twitter rant against a couple of journalists. He subsequently apologised for it but insisted that he did that to defend himself.
It’s a minor incident: Bailey
Describing David Warner as “generous and giving”, Australia’s stand-in captain George Bailey downplayed the opener’s bar-room brawl with England batsman Joe Root, calling it a “minor” incident but “disappointing” nonetheless.
After the ICC Champions Trophy Australia versus New Zealand group A match here was abandoned due to rain, the post-match media conference of Bailey centred around Warner.
“It’s been dealt with from my point of view. It’s disappointing, but a very minor incident and it’s been dealt with in house and that’s it,” Bailey said.
“I thought he took it on the chin, and he’s had a cheer around the group, so it was outstanding. No pun intended. Sorry about that,” he added.
Bailey said despite the storm over Warner, the Aussie dressing room has been calm. “Very comfortable. Very easy. The situation for us, believe it or not, was bigger than this — it was about making sure we won this game to stay in the tournament and play some better cricket than we had against England. And with this sort of a result I am still not sure if we have done that,” he said.
Bailey was asked to comment on Warner as a teammate and the batsman was effusive in his praise.
“I love playing cricket with him. I love his enthusiasm. love his energy around the group. love the way he plays. Wish I had the talent that he does,” the standing captain said.