Australian opener set to sit out until possible Ashes recall after fight with Joe Root.
David Warner has been handed a $11,500 fine and suspended for the rest of Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign, after pleading guilty to bringing the game into disrepute.
Warner faced the hearing on Thursday after being involved with altercation with English batsman Joe Root at a pub in Birmingham after the side’s first round loss.
The fiery Australian opener was said to have objected to a comical wig being worn by Root, before the pair had a brief argument before Warner lashed out at Root and connected with a punch.
It is the second off-field incident for Warner inside of a month after his foul-mouthed Twitter tirade aimed at two Australian journalists also landed him in hot water.
Warner will be suspended for the rest of the Australian’s Champions Trophy campaign and two tour games, when they play Somerset and Worcestershire, however, he will be eligible for selection for the first Test.
The ECB said Root was in no way to blame for the attack and said he did not respond after Warner struck him.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board 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,”‘ the ECB said.
“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.”
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