David Warner’s stark truth as Aussie cricketers and partners dazzle
David Warner’s comments overshadowed the blue carpet as Australia’s cricket stars and their partners celebrated at the Allan Border Medal.
Australian cricket celebrated its night of nights on Monday and while the partners of our biggest stars dazzled, David Warner’s comments overshadowed the blue carpet.
Amid a jam-packed cricket calendar, Australia recognised all the best players of the past 12 months and crowned Steve Smith and Beth Mooney as its top dogs.
Warner, who crammed in six BBL matches in between Test series against South Africa and the upcoming tour of India, had earlier expressed his preference to have a night off.
But as the event was mandatory, he sucked it up and walked the carpet with wife Candice, who turned heads with a high-slit dress.
Warner, who played six largely ineffective BBL games for the Thunder to take his tally to 22 matches in all formats since October, couldn’t hide his frustration at being there.
He was asked by Fox Sports: “Now that you are here, are you happy to be here?”
Warner’s response was simple. “No,” he said before laughing.
“You can see I’m tired. But look, for us, it’s not about the men, it’s about the partners. It’s their night, they get to dress up and look absolutely amazing, and obviously we celebrate both teams, men and women and there are going to be two smiling people at the end of this with the Belinda Clark Medal and the Allan Border Medal.”
Asked if he’ll be able to freshen up before the start of the India series on February 9, Warner said: “Let’s hope so.
“I’ve got five days to refresh before I get out there and have a hit and make the most of the Indian series.
“In an ideal world it would have been nice for it to be longer but for me, it’s not just about the resting from cricket. I’ve got three beautiful girls and my wife who I’ve got to spend time with and spending more time with them would have been fantastic but I’ve got the privilege of them coming to Delhi with me, so I can’t wait for that.”
During the long summer, Warner’s longest break has been less than a fortnight and the 36-year-old said he was “exhausted” and was frustrated since Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis had already left to play in the UAE.
Here are some of the highlights from the red carpet.
‘Big snake cracks’: Curator’s call on first Test pitch
The wicket for the first Test in Perth could still be hard and bouncy but will be missing something pitches in the west normally produce.
Maxi suffers Big Bash blow
A fresh hurdle is obstructing Glenn Maxwell’s return to Test cricket, as his BBL side sweats on his fitness following scan results.
‘Hard to see your dad like that’: Community rallies for sporting stalwart
Six weeks on from his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Michael Johnstone’s family and friends are still coming to grips with the battle he faces. Yet, they are preparing to put emotion to one side to raise awareness about the “insidious” disease.