5 instances when David Warner intimidated his opponents

The Warner-Herath altercation could have ended much worseVirender Sehwag's retirement from international cricket means the explosvie opener mantle has been handed over to prolific Australian batsman David Warner. In the first trans-Tasman test, he slammed back to back centuries to help the Aussies secure a comfortable 208 run victory. He also became only the third ever opening batsman to achieve that feat.However, unlike Sehwag, Warner is known to be far more aggressive both on an off the field. Frequent altercations has also seen his match fee deducted by the ICC. Be it domestic or international cricket, Wartner is considered to be a fiery character.So, let’s have a look at 5 instances when he intimidated his opponents.

#5 Warner asks Ishant about his bowling average

Sharma gave a strong reply to Warners sledging

During the same Australia tour as the Varun Aaron incident, Warner managed to intimidate another Indian pace in Ishant Sharma. After Sharma completed his over, Warner had a few comments regarding his bowling average in Australia. This didnt go down well with Ishant, who repeatedly said, Dont get me angry, you wouldn't like it, to which Warner responded, maybe you can take some wickets and show me how angry you can get.

However, Ishant did get him out. During the entirety of the series, Warner had clashes with Virat Kohli, Varun Aaron and Ishant Sharma. It seems India is his favourite sledging hunting ground.

#4 Warner goes face to face with Rangana Herath

Warner and Herath almost exchanged punches

During the first t-20 game between Sri Lanka and Australia, Warner had yet another altercation with a bowler. This time, spinner Rangana Herath was the target. Midway into his second over, Herath bowled a doosra to striker Shane Wason, who pushed it back towards him. While attempting to field the ball, Herath slammed into Warner, who was trying to sneak in a single.

That didnt go down well with the New South Wales man, as he stared down Herath. The Sri Lankan responded, stop blocking my way and Warner said, you came in my way, I didnt come in yours. Australia would go onto win the game by 10 wickets.

#3 When Warner punched Joe Root

Warner for suspended for two test matches after punching Root

The 2013 Ashes edition saw David Warner suspended for the first two tests after he punched Joe Root on the face in a Birmingham pub. The altercation was over a ‘Malinga’ hat worn by Warner’s friends. Warner said, “there were little things that were going on throughout the night.”

Warner justified his actions by saying, “When people are drunk that’s what they do, but I thought it was a bit inappropriate the way he went about that stuff so I went over and tried to take it off him. I just think in today’s society you shouldn’t be fooling around with that kind of stuff. And he probably didn’t mean anything by it at all but I just thought ... actually I can’t say I thought ... I probably let my aggression and alcohol take over there and probably made an excuse for me to go over there and actually take it off him.”

However, Root dismissed Warner’s allegations as ‘ridiculous’. He said, “It’s disappointing to have my character questioned by a batsman of his stature.”

#2 Warner sledges Varun Aaron

Warner attempted to ruffle new-comer Aarons feathers

Phil Hughes death saw an unnatural calm over the 2014 India-Australia series, both teams refrained from indulging in any practice that could deemed unethical to the sport. However, the fourth day saw David Warner trigger a chain of sledging events, during the series.

The incident occurred when Aaron dismissed Warner for 66 amidst massive celebration by the India team. But, the umpire decided to go upstairs for a potential no-ball appeal. Upon checking, it was confirmed that Aaron did overstep, much to the disappointment of the Indian camp. Warner ran back to Aaron, and said,not celebrating anymore?

This triggered a heated exchange between the two as Shane Watson and Shikhar Dhawan also got involved. Warner also sent a flying kiss to Dhawan, during the end of the altercation.

#1 Warner asks Rohit Sharma to \'speak english\'

Warner asking Sharma to learn English

During the second ODI of the 2015 tri-series in Australia, Indian batsman Rohit Sharma got into an altercation with Warner. The incident occurred in the 23rd over when Rohit pushed a James Faulkner ball to mid-off, and Warner threw the ball directly at the striker.

However, Rohit made sure, the ball went through his legs, and he went on to steal a single. This didn’t go down well with Warner as he marched down the pitch to give Rohit a piece of his mind. The Indian opener replied to Warner’s sledging in Hindi, who retorted by asking him to ‘learn and speak in english’.

After the match, Warner said, “thought I was OK by asking him to speak English and I am going to say it a couple of times if he keeps saying it in Hindi." He added, "If people get on the wrong side of me, I'm not going to back down.“

The comments landed Warner in trouble, as 50 % of his match fee was deducted.