Aussies’ Warner hits out at Kiwi skipper

LONDON: David Warner has hit back at Brendon McCullum following the New Zealand captain’s criticisms in Sportsmail of Australia’s behaviour during the Ashes summer.

McCullum accused Warner of “petulance” during the first test at Cardiff for failing to applaud Joe Root’s century, then suggested Steve Smith showed his “immaturity” by not recalling Ben Stokes after his controversial dismissal for obstructing the field during a one-day international at Lord’s.

Now, a day before Australia host New Zealand in the first test at Brisbane, Warner has attemped turned the tables.

“In my opinion it was something that was quite poor and immature on his behalf, to actually make the comment about Steve,” said Australia’s vice-captain. “I don’t see the need or the right for a current cricket captain to write columns on another series.

“His opinion is going to be heard worldwide but you can’t be talking about the players the way he did. At the end of the day he’s the captain and you’ve got to respect Brendon. He’s done a great job with the Kiwis and he’s trying to make them the world’s politest team, and well done to him.

“At the end of the day you’re not playing for the Spirit of Cricket Award, are you? You’re playing for a series, and that’s what our goal is. We try not to cross that line. A couple of times we’ve head-butted it.”

Earlier in the week, Smith – now Australia’s full-time captain following the retirement of Michael Clarke – said he had “no regrets” about the Stokes dismissal. Smith faces a baptism of fire tomorrow as he leads a rebuilding Australia into the first test of a home summer.

Australia have not lost a test at their Gabba fortress in 27 years but have rarely appeared more vulnerable with the string of retirements that followed the Ashes defeat in England.

Much will be asked of twotest Joe Burns who replaces Chris Rogers for at least the first two tests of the series.

Also under heavy scrutiny, Usman Khawaja has been thrown in the deep end to bat third in the order for his first test in over two years.

He replaces Smith who has demoted himself to fourth but flourished at No 3 for most of the past two years. “If there’s a run of wickets hopefully I can stop it,” Smith said in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph. “I think a lot of the players that are coming through are top-order players.

With the Gabba pitch tipped to be dependably quick and bouncy, and both sides boasting dynamic fast bowlers, the match may well be decided by which side’s batsmen can better weather the storm, with the tourists boasting the more settled batting order. – Daily Mail, Reuters