David Warner dropped over bar fight

THE Champions Trophy has scarcely begun and already Australia's Ashes campaign is in crisis.

THE Champions Trophy has scarcely begun and already Australia's Ashes campaign is in crisis after opener David Warner was allegedly involved in an altercation with rival batsman Joe Root following Australia's loss to England on Sunday night.

Cricket Australia last night confirmed that Warner had been stood down from Australia's second Champions Trophy match against New Zealand as urgent moves were under way to convene a code-of-behaviour hearing. He was last night seen carrying the drinks for the team and there is a chance he may be sent home.

The England Cricket Board also confirmed the incident, however didn't name Root.

"The England and Wales Cricket Board confirms David Warner initiated an unprovoked physical attack on a member of the England team in a Birmingham bar following England's 48-run victory over Australia," the ECB said. "Warner has admitted behaving inappropriately and has since apologised to the player involved, who has accepted the apology."

British newspapers last night reported the incident erupted after Warner grabbed a wig Root was wearing. Claims were made on social media last night that Warner, who was one of six Australian players in the bar with several England players including Root, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn, had taken exception to Root wearing what's been described as a Hashim Amla wig. Amla is a Muslim cricketer from South Africa.

It is believed Root had been wearing a wig, but later turned it around so it resembled a beard.

Sources close to a rival team last night claimed Warner had also been out drinking two nights after the alleged fracas.

England captain Alastair Cook confirmed the identity of the player involved as Yorkshire batsman Root.

"Joe seems fine," Cook said, adding that he was disappointed by the incident.

"It's unfortunate this has happened and he wants to put it behind him. We have investigated the matter - we believe we have not done anything wrong."

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff couldn't resist having a dig at the Australians, tweeting: "With the bat @davidwarner31 will try and hit anything, when it comes to people he just goes for the smallest! #weak."

A statement from the Birmingham pub, the Australian-themed Walkabout bar, read: "David Warner and Joe Root were in our VIP area between 1.30am and 2.30am on Sunday morning along with several other England and Australia team members.

"None of the group seemed to have been drinking to excess, and all were just having a good time.

"There was a small altercation between Warner and Root, but this was dealt with very amicably and quickly by the rest of the group, and both were calmly chatting to each other again immediately afterwards.

"They all left a short while later, and the small bar tab was picked up by David Warner."

Australia captain Michael Clarke declined to comment on the incident last night. He merely shook his head when The Australian spoke to him as he left his London hotel to have treatment on his injured back.

However, on a positive note for Australia, Clarke appeared to be moving freely and, speaking exclusively to The Australian, said his back was "much, much better" and he would "definitely be back for the Ashes".

Cricket Australia's statement said: "Warner has been reported for breaching rule 6: unbecoming behaviour after he was allegedly involved in a physical altercation with an England player in the early hours of Sunday morning following the ICC Champions Trophy match between the teams in Birmingham."

Barely three weeks ago, Warner was fined $5750 by CA after launching an expletive-laden rant on Twitter against News Limited cricket journalists Robert Craddock and Malcolm Conn. Based on the decision to suspend four players for not completing their homework on time on the recent tour of India, a ruling to send him home would hardly be an overreaction in these circumstances.

Indeed, if the Andrew Symonds case sets any sort of precedent, Warner's international career could even be in jeopardy. Symonds was sent home from the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in England in June 2009 following a late-night drinking episode. His CA contract was reviewed and later cancelled. Symonds admittedly had "form" but so, too, it appears, does Warner. It is understood Warner last year was placed on a curfew and made to report to team officials.

The first Test is set down for July 10 and Warner's alleged indiscretion means Australia's two highest-averaging batsmen are now under a cloud, for contrasting reasons.

Adding to Australia's woes, in last night's match, Phil Hughes and Shane Watson failed with the bat, Watson scoring five and Hughes being run out for a duck in Australia's total of 243.