New Zealand cricket great Martin Crowe has labelled David Warner the most juvenile cricketer he has seen after the latest on-field flashpoint involving the Australian opener.
Crowe says he fears that the left-hander could be at the centre of a fight during the World Cup if things boil over and is advocating a soccer-like yellow and red card system to deal with what he terms “thuggish behaviour” as fines don’t work.
Warner and century-marker Rohit Sharma came face-to-face in an ugly stoush midway through India’s innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in a row about a run taken after Warner’s throw eluded wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Warner was seen to tell Sharma “Speak English” and umpires John Ward and Kumar Dharmasena intervened to separate the pair, while captain George Bailey also attempted to cool things down.
The incident sparked criticism of the opener on social media and Crowe, writing on cricket website espncricinfo.com, said something needed to be done before “an incident that will sully the game for good”.
“Warner can play, but he is the most juvenile cricketer I have seen on a cricket field,” wrote Crowe.
“I don’t care how good he is: if he continues to show all those watching that he doesn’t care, he must be removed, either by Cricket Australia or definitely by the world governing body.
“The more he gets away with it, the more others will follow his pitiful actions. Already we see one or two of his teammates enjoying being close to his hideous energy,” Crowe wrote.
Warner got slapped on the wrist by the ICC for the incident, charging him 50 per cent of his match fee, but Crowe believes that will not address the issue.
“Fining these serial offenders is not going to work. You have to take them out of the game for extended periods.”
He advocates the soccer-style yellow card system with two cards in a six-month period leading to a half-year ban.
“This is the only way it will be dealt with.
“The officials must step in now. There are others who are borderline, but Warner is the worst culprit.”
He urged the ICC to act before someone was king-hit on the field.
“Do we wait for blood to be spilt on the pitch, lawsuits to follow? Do we sit by and watch this ever-increasing thuggery grow into a runaway train dragging cricket through another unnecessary controversy?”
Cricket Australia should lay down the law to Warner to stop his actions influencing youngsters, Crowe said, who were already watching and imitating him.
“They think they are copying a hero. On the contrary, they are idolising a player who seems determined to bring down the gentleman’s game.”
