David Warner vows not to react to expected crowd abuse on Australia’s return to South Africa
Two years after he left South Africa in disgrace, David Warner returns as the Allan Border medallist and ready to ‘turn the other cheek’ with local fans expected to make him a target.
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Allan Border medallist David Warner says he has “well and truly” learnt his lesson as he prepares to head back to the scene of his greatest cricketing crime in South Africa amid expectations of a hostile reception.
Australia’s last tour of the rainbow nation was marred not only by the sandpaper scandal, which cost Warner a 12-month suspension and a lifetime leadership ban, but a slew of other incidents.
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The fiery opener, known as “Bull”, was involved in a corridor stoush with now Proteas captain Quinton de Kock, with sideline microphones picking up Warner calling his opponent a “Bush Pig”.
A viciously agitated Warner then had to be restrained and pushed in to the change rooms at Durban as he tried to get at de Kock, an incident which cost the Australian a $13,500 fine and three demerit points.
It later emerged that Warner’s wife, Candice, had been the subject of abuse from South African players and the crowd.
The South African cricket board also had to apologise after two members of staff were photographed wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks, a taunt related to an infamous encounter between Warner’s wife and the rugby player well over a decade ago.
Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes was fined 15 per cent of his match-fee last month after a foul-mouthed tirade against a spectator in Johannesburg who taunted him, a forecast of what could face Warner.
But having been booed every time he batted during the Ashes in England, Warner said he was well prepared for what’s to come, and pledged to turn the other cheek this time.
“I knew what I was walking in to in England and I know exactly what I am going to walk in to in South Africa,” he said after winning his third AB medal on Monday might.
“You just look at the recent series against England. It doesn’t matter where you go in the world, you are going to cop something of some sort.
“You have to just get that out of your heads and not let it affect you. I have well and truly learned my lessons from last time. It’s going to be great to go back over there.”
Steve Smith has often said he doesn’t even hear the crowds, who also booed him in England as he took the home bowler’s apart.
The Australian squad leave for South Africa on Friday, and will return to Cape Town for the third T20 match on February 26.
Originally published as David Warner vows not to react to expected crowd abuse on Australia’s return to South Africa