WARNER RETURN ENDS IN FARCICAL RUN-OUT
DAVID Warner’s stint in Bangladesh’s Twenty20 league started with a farcical run-out in Dhaka last night.
Warner, captaining Sylhet Sixers in their tournament opener against Steve Smith’s Comilla Victorians, was found short of his ground on 14, off 13 balls.
Warner’s dismissal came after a terrible mix-up with batting partner Towhid Hridoy, an 18-year-old Bangladeshi. Non-striker Warner and Hridoy, who was later dismissed for eight when Smith reviewed an lbw shout from Shahid Afridi, both ended up at the striker’s end after Hridoy stayed put.
The bails were dislodged at the non-striker’s end and the third umpire was left to review footage and assess whether Warner or Hridoy should be given their marching orders.
It proved a contentious decision, with footage seemingly showing that Warner had made his ground first.
Warner crashed three boundaries in the fourth over, including one that flew past Smith at first slip, as the Sixers posted 8-127 from their 20 overs.
Smith and Warner were all smiles at the toss, which the former won.
Smith and Warner, both serving 12-month bans for their role in the Cape Town cheating scandal, are barred from internationals and the Big Bash League.
Warner said he was using the Bangladesh Premier League as an opportunity to impress Australian selectors leading into this year’s World Cup in England and Wales.
“It is up to the selectors whether or not they want to pick me,” Warner said.
“All I can do is score runs, keep putting my hand up and making sure that I am the best person I can be.”
with AAP