David Warner walks despite not hitting the ball in World Cup semi

David Warner did the unthinkable in a World Cup semi as his bizarre act came close to costing Australia a place in the decider.

What was David Warner thinking? Photo: Kayo Sports.

It didn’t matter in the end but David Warner would have had some explaining to do if Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign came crashing down on Friday morning.

Instead, Aaron Finch’s men pulled off an astonishing run chase to beat Pakistan and qualify for the final (1am Monday AEST) against New Zealand thanks to some heroic hitting at the death from Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade.

Australia take on New Zealand in the ICC T20 World Cup final on Monday (1am AEDT) on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today

Wade in particular was something special, hitting three consecutive sixes in the 19th over to finish unbeaten on 41 from just 17 balls and secure a thrilling five-wicket victory.

Thankfully, Warner wasn’t left to rue a mysterious blunder that left cricket fans scratching their heads.

The left-hander’s form has been patchy of late but he started in fantastic fashion at the top of the order as the Aussies tried to hunt down Pakistan’s target of 4/176. Warner cracked three fours and three sixes to be within one run of a half century before he bizarrely cost himself a chance to extend his innings.

Facing the leg-spin of Shadab Khan in the first over after drinks, Warner was given out caught behind and walked off the ground. However, replays clearly show there was daylight between the ball and his bat, while Ultra Edge — the technology used to determine if a batter has edged a delivery — didn’t register a noise either.

It meant Warner didn’t edge the ball but he thought he did and when the umpire raised his finger, the 35-year-old walked off.

If he was confident he didn’t hit it, the opening batter could have reviewed the decision. The third umpire would have seen the gap between bat and ball, looked at the flat line on Ultra Edge and given Warner a reprieve.

But there was no challenge of the on-field umpire’s decision and the Aussie star’s knock came to a controversial end, leaving his team with plenty to do at 4/89 in the 11th over.

“I don’t quite know what to say,” South African legend Dale Steyn said in commentary.

“Sometimes there’s a bit of a click in the bat handle … it’s a long way (from the bat). You can see straight away both the bowler and keeper went straight up.

“Sometimes you can get those little creaks in the handle, that could have been the case. Warner may not have felt it but heard something himself.”

Ex-Australian all-rounder Shane Watson also suggested in commentary a creaky handle could have been to blame for the noise, telling viewers sometimes players genuinely don’t know if they’ve edged the ball or not.

Soon after his dismissal an animated Warner was seen talking to coach Justin Langer after returning to the Aussie dugout, appearing to suggest he thought he’d hit it.

David Warner didn't hit the ball. Photo: Kayo.

Indian cricket broadcaster Harsha Bhogle was stunned when he saw the replays. “What!!” he wrote, in response to an earlier tweet about Warner being dismissed.

Ex-England star Owais Shah tweeted: “Can someone tell me why David Warner walked after NOT edging the ball!?”

Manak Gupta added: “UNBELIEVABLE. Warner didn’t nick it….and he walked.”

Samip Rajguru said: “Shocking…@davidwarner31 why didn’t you take DRS … #brainfade??? You got out without getting out … Big blow to Aussies.”