Warner seeks respect as South Africa tour series close-in
Australian opener David Warner has urged the Proteas fans to show some respect in Australia's upcoming limited overs assignment against South Africa. Warner, who has been in sublime touch across formats of late, was banned in 2018 following ball-tampering saga. Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft also had the bear the brunt as the latter rubbed the ball with sandpaper during the Newlands Test.
The infamous incident in South Africa was widely condemned
During the third Test against South Africa in March 2018, Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft's attempt to rough up the ball with sandpaper for garnering reverse swing was caught on television. The then captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner were handed one-year suspensions from all forms of cricket, while the former was banned for nine months.
You like to have some form of respect: Warner
"At the end of the day you have to have some form of respect as well. They are representing their country as spectators watching a game of cricket. I am sure they don't want teams criticizing the way their fans are acting," Warner said.
The dynamic duo came back strongly
As the ban was lifted in March 2019, Warner was all guns blazing in the IPL 2019. He finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer. He tallied 647 runs in 10 World Cup innings and later struck a triple century against Pakistan in the Adelaide Test. Besides, Smith amassed a mind-boggling 774 runs in seven Ashes innings at an average of 110.57.
Warner and Smith would like to stage a turnaround
Australia will be travelling to South Africa for the limited overs assignments in February (three T20Is and as many ODIs). Life comes full circle for Warner and his compatriot Smith, who will land in the African nation for the first time in nearly two years. The duo would want to shut the critics this time around. The tour commences on Feb 21.
'I know what is going to get thrown at me'
"I know what is going to get thrown at me, I always do wherever I am playing. It is nothing I haven't heard before. Every single person we have come across, has nothing but great words to say in welcoming us," Warner said.
