The punishment has been handed but Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland remains livid with David Warner, saying the opener’s bar-room brawl during the Champions Trophy was “despicable” and his public apology for the incident counts for little.
“David Warner has done a despicable thing,” Sutherland told reporters in Brisbane.
“But I also hold the team to account here. There were other people there with him and those that were there need to take responsibility for that, but so does the team as a whole and the team management group as a whole,” he said.
Sutherland said the team management was also to be blamed for the incident.
“There is no place for violence anywhere and I’m extremely disappointed in that. I’m extremely disappointed in him and I have told him that ... There were certain things that led to this situation that happened, as I understand it, at 2.30 in the morning,” he said.
“There’s not a lot of good that happens at 2.30 in the morning in a pub or a nightclub. I believe that the team as a whole and the people who were around him at the time also need to take responsibility for what happened.”
Warner, who was on Thursday suspended until the Ashes, offered unconditional apologies for getting into an altercation with England player Joe Root in a bar after Australia’s opening Champions Trophy loss to the hosts in Birmingham.
“I’m here today to apologise publicly and put my hand up and say I am responsible for my actions. I am extremely remorseful. I have let my teammates down, the support staff, myself and my family,” Warner told reporters in London.
“I have accepted the punishment. It is up to me to do everything I can to help the team to progress in the Champions Trophy, and move on to have a great preparation for the Ashes.”
Clarke warns Warner
Clarke, who accompanied Warner to the press conference, urged him to watch his conduct.
“Although the punishment for David is quite harsh, that’s the reality when you play for the Australian cricket team,” Clarke said.
“This is not an IPL team, this is not state cricket, it’s not county cricket, when you play for Australia there are standards you have to uphold,” he added in a stern warning.
Warner said he clearly remembers what transpired that night but refused to go into the details.
“I definitely remember the night. It started out with a few drinks in the bar and as a team we went to the Walkabout.
I made a mistake and I put my hand up,” he said.
“I have exchanged text messages with Joe. He accepted my apology, which I am thoroughly grateful for.”
