Warner walks off after abuse, wife says

The wife of banned cricketer David Warner has confirmed he walked off the field while batting in a Sydney club game on Saturday after he was sledged by the brother of his dead former teammate Phillip Hughes.

Warner, who is serving a 12-month ban from first class and international cricket for his role in a balltampering scandal, returned to the crease after a short break and then scored 157 not out for his Randwick-Petersham club.

“David was taken aback by the comments and decided they went a little bit too far so he decided to remove himself from the game,” former professional ironwoman Candice Warner said on Channel Nine TV yesterday.

“Everyone has their opinion but I think there is a difference between sledging and abuse. What was said yesterday went too far.

“It’s just a shame that this is taking from his great knock yesterday, he got 157 and he got a century a few rounds ago and he’s really enjoying playing for Randwick.”

The match against Western Suburbs at Pratten Park was held up for about two minutes when Warner left the field but he returned to resume his innings by agreement with the opposition.