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David Warner today defended his “speak English” demand in a slanging match with India batsman Rohit Sharma but admits he was mistaken over the incident that sparked it.
Tempers flared during Australia’s four-wicket Tri-Series ODI win in Melbourne yesterday when Warner clashed with Hindi‑speaking Rohit.
The incident was triggered by India running a contentious single off an overthrow the Australians believed came after Warner’s return deflected off Rohit. Cricket convention dictates that batsmen do not run when a throw deflects off their body or bat.
“When I went over to say something to him, he sort of said something in their language and I said ‘speak English’ because, if you’re going to say something, understand that theoretically I cannot speak Hindi,” said Warner, who was fined 50 per cent of his match fee by the ICC. “I did the polite thing and asked him to speak English, therefore he did and I can’t repeat what he said.”
A replay proved it was not a deflection and while Warner admitted it was a bad call, he said he will not tone down his style.
“I was in the wrong ... I shouldn’t have engaged him,” he said. “If people get on the wrong side of me, I won’t back down. We’re always there to play hard, aggressive cricket but you know what comes with that — sometimes you are going to get fined. We’ve just got to keep trying not to cross that line.”
