Banned Australia batsman David Warner walked off the field mid-innings after being sledged during a Sydney grade game on Saturday, reports said.
Warner, who is currently serving the 12-month suspension from international cricket for his involvement in the disgraceful ball-tampering plot at Newlands in March, was batting for Randwick-Petersham when an opposition player from the Western Suburbs team is said to have sledged Warner.
Weirdness in Sydney Grade cricket. Dave warner, on 35, just walked off the field in the middle of the over. Told the umpire “I’m removing myself from the game”. Apparently it was because of a sledge. He walked off, then came back out to bat 2 mins later. #Cricket pic.twitter.com/jX0lihgLxU
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) October 27, 2018
As per a report in news.com.au, Warner had moved into the 30s when the drama unfolded. Apparently, the southpaw was not happy with a jibe and told the umpire that he was leaving the field and walked off. The nature of the sledge was not known, but according to reports, a number of his teammates insisted him to take the field and he agreed after several minutes.
The incident didn't seem to affect Warner for long though as he went on to smash a century. It was his second ton since the start of the club season last month.
David Warner has scored another century today 100 not out. Cricket Australia reinstate the legend. @CricketNSWBlues need him as do Australia ASAP
— Dan Paine Stapleton (@Dan_Stapo) October 27, 2018
Earlier this year, Australian cricket was shaken to the core after cameras had caught Cameron Bancroft using a sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball during the Cape Town Test against South Africa.
In a shocking press conference after the day's play, former Australia skipper Steve Smith had admitted that the entire ball-tampering saga was a deliberate plan from the “leadership group” of the side. Subsequently, Cricket Australia (CA) had banned Smith and his deputy Warner for 12 months while Bancroft was handed a 9-month suspension from international cricket.