Joe Root hits back at David Warner over punch claims

DAVID Warner’s explanation of why he attacked Joe Root in a Birmingham pub in 2013 has angered the English batsman.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: David Warner of Australia shakes hands with Joe Root of England during day five of the Third Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at WACA on December 17, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

DAVID Warner’s explanation of why he punched Joe Root in a Birmingham pub in 2013 has angered the English batsman.

Warner told a Sydney newspaper he attacked Root at the Walkabout Hotel after Australia’s defeat to England in the first game of the Champions Trophy after he stole a green and gold wig one of Warner’s friends was wearing.

Warner claimed Root held the wig to his chin — which the Aussie opening batsman interpreted as mocking the South African batsman Hashim Amla.

“A mate of mine was actually wearing it on top of his head like a Malinga wig, that’s what it was. He was wearing it on his head and (Root) decided to come in and take it off my mate’s head and start acting the way he did,” Warner told Fairfax.

“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.”

Warner landed a glancing blow before being dragged away by teammate Clint McKay. But Root has disputed Warner’s explanation of events, describing them as “ridiculous”.

1/2 Disappointing to have my character questioned- those who know me realise how ridiculous Warner's excuse for hitting me sounds...

— Joe Root (@joeroot05) July 4, 2015

2/2 ...but that's his choice to try and justify his actions. I'm just extremely excited about next week and getting back out there.

— Joe Root (@joeroot05) July 4, 2015

David Warner (right) and Michael Clarke face the media after Warner punched Root.

Warner issued a public apology at the time and was suspended for the first two Tests of that Ashes series.

In the Fairfax interview he detailed how he was out with some teammates in Birmingham during the Champions Trophy, when England players Root, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn wanted to join them at about 1am.

“We had a place sectioned off for us and they decided to come in ... obviously not part of our group,” Warner said. “It was more me giving marching orders in a way.

Warner noted there were “little things that were going on throughout the night” that led to him striking Root, but wouldn’t list all of them.

Former England offspinner Graeme Swann also voiced his displeasure at Warner’s explanation.

Just read David Warner's laughable excuse for whacking rooty a couple of years back. What utter nonsense!

— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) July 4, 2015

— with AAP