Former Australian cricketers Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds have apologized to Marnus Labuschagne for their derogatory and embarrassing remarks on the right-hander’s eccentricities on TV.
Last week, preparing to commentary a Big Bash League game for Fox Sports, Warne and Symonds were caught discussing Labuschagne’s unorthodox batting antics thinking they weren’t on-air yet since the BBL 10 match was delayed due to the Sydney Test between Australia and India still taking place.
Unfortunately, the things turned weird and unkind, as Warne and Symonds’ comments which were in inappropriate language were broadcasted to subscribers of streaming service Kayo Sports, and later, the duo was heavily criticized for their commentary blunder last week.
Soon after their distasteful remarks on Labuschagne went air, the broadcaster Kayo apologized and now Warne and Symonds have also expressed their regrets to their words.
Symonds caught saying: “Do something now to his ADD (attention deficit disorder), f***ing pills.” To which Warne replied by saying that Labuschagne should “bat properly”, saying: “Yeah, f***. Jeez, it's annoying. 'No!!!' Just f***ing bat properly.”
Later, the former all-rounder added: “We'll have to give him the hog pile”, before saying: “Mate, if you keep that sh*t up we're going to have to squash your guts out your arse.”
Referring to Labuschagne's quirky methods at the crease, Warne said: “Jeez it's annoying. 'No!!!' Just f---ing bat properly.”
Meanwhile, now six days after the on-air gaffe, Warner has finally apologized for swearing on TV while saying Labuschagne found the comments funny and had no problems with it.
Warne wrote in a column for News Corp: “I've communicated with Marnus about what unfortunately went to air last week and I'd like to apologize for swearing on TV.”
He further added, “Marnus had no issue. He thought it was funny and had a laugh about it and so did his teammates. Andrew has also apologized to Marnus for what he said, too.”
Clearing his comments ahead of the final Test against India, Warne noted: “He is an outstanding player. But Marnus bats best when he forgets all the exaggeration stuff, like calling, 'No', 'Yes' and 'Wait on' really loudly and waving his bat around. I like it when he just bats – and that's why I said to Andrew Symonds that he should just bat properly.”
The spin great also took a u-turn as he lauded Labuschagne for his batting in the ongoing Test series against India and went on to claim that he can challenge Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson.
He signed off by saying, “All of a sudden Marnus Labuschagne (293 runs) and Steve Smith (222) lead the series with the bat. I think Labuschagne can challenge Kane Williamson, Smith, and Virat Kohli as the best batsman in the world, and he is currently fourth in the ICC rankings.”
(With nine.com.au/ News Corp Inputs)
