David Warner and Ricky Ponting among big names to hit Rod Laver Arena for the Australian Open
Just three days after undergoing elbow surgery, banned cricketer David Warner was out and about, taking in the Australian Open men’s semi-final with former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting. But they weren’t the only big names in the house.
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Just three days after undergoing elbow surgery, banned cricketer David Warner has stepped out in Melbourne to take in some tennis.
Sporting a sling on his right arm, Warner was joined on Rod Laver Arena by his wife Candice as well as former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.
Warner first noticed the issue with his elbow while paddle-boarding over Christmas.
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However, it only became clear it would require surgery after it flared during his stint with the Sylhet Sixers in the Bangladesh Premier League.
For his role in the ball tampering saga, Warner and former captain Steve Smith were handed 12 month bans while opener Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months.
Ponting recently took a swipe at Bancroft, who was heavily criticised for a tell-all interview with Fox Cricket in which he was accused of throwing Warner under the bus.
Bancroft suggested he “didn’t know any better” when asked by Warner to interfere with the ball.
“I was disappointed with a few things and I don’t think he had to say some of the things he had to say,” Ponting said at the time.
“Even the way he presented himself in that interview … he’s trying to rebuild his brand and that sort of thing, and I think some of the things he’s had to say have actually done more damage to his brand than what had happened before.”
Warner will be eligible to play for Australia again from March 29 — with the World Cup and Ashes fast approaching.
He wasn’t the only big name in the house for Friday night’s semi-final clash. Also at Melbourne Park were Australian actor Eric Bana and partner Rebecca Gleeson, comedian and Vogue chief editor Anna Wintour.