Warner antics leave Aussies in disarray

In case life wasn't tough enough for the Aussies on the field, David Warner's antics are making life tough for them off the field too.

After England's victory over Australia at Edgbaston, Dave Warner was involved in an "unprovoked attack" on Joe Root at a Walkabout bar at 2am Sunday morning in Birmingham.  Some have questioned why Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Joe Root were out at 2am in the middle of an International tournament.  That does not really concern me.

The bigger question has to be what was Dave Warner thinking?!  Rumours are that Joe Root was larking around with a beard and wig, next Warner came over and punched him on the chin.

This is not acceptable behaviour in any walk of life, let alone sportsmen.  So much is said in the media these days about sportsmen and women setting an example to youngsters, whether that is cricketers for claiming dropped catches or footballers for diving.   For Warner to react in such a way is completely irresponsible.  Australia left Warner out of the match against New Zealand today as a result of his actions.  This comes only weeks after Warner was fined £3,700 for abusive posts on Twiiter to Australian journalists.

It will be interesting to see what further action Cricket Australia take against Warner.  In March, coach Mickey Arthur saw it fit to drop vice captain Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson and Usman Khawaja for a Test match against India for failing to complete and submit their feedback on team management.  I wonder what Arthur deems fit in this situation?

All this comes at a time when several Australian legends are already becoming exasperated with their failing side.  Shane Warne hinted that the number of openers in the Ashes squad indicates Australia don't know what their best side is. Imagine what the greats like Steve Waugh, David Boon, Glen McGrath and Warne make of the Warner incident.  All these men fought hard on the pitch, but never lost their cool with their opponents off it.

It's a shame for the Australian side that with the Ashes imminent people are talking about an individual's negative behaviour instead of the battle that is the Ashes.  Michael Clarke must now be suffering with a major headache to go with with bad back after today.