AUS vs NZ: David Warner Calls Out New Zealand Crowd for Abuse, Anticipates Cold Farewell in T20I Series
Veteran opener David Warner says he is ready to confront hostile crowds in New Zealand as Australia prepares to play a three-match T20I series beginning Wednesday.
The post AUS vs NZ: David Warner Calls Out New Zealand Crowd for Abuse, Anticipates Cold Farewell in T20I Series appeared first on Cricket Country.
David Warner is ready to take part in the Trans-Tasman rivalry for the final time as Australia prepares for a three-match T20I series in New Zealand from February 21 to 25. The opener, who has had negative experiences with crowd conduct in New Zealand in the past, said he would not expect a loving farewell from BlackCaps supporters during the T20I series.
David Warner will play his final international match in New Zealand, after confirming that he will retire from international cricket following the T20 World Cups in the West Indies and the United States. Warner stepped down from Test cricket earlier this year, ending on a high note with a Test series victory over Pakistan, and also announced his retirement from ODI cricket.
Warner has had enthusiastic audience support in the last stages of his international career, but he does not expect the same from the New Zealand fans, which he has described as ‘vulgar and derogatory’. The former vice-captain of the Australian team said in 2016 that personal abuse was directed at Australian players during a test series in New Zealand with saying that crowds took it “too far.”
Ahead of the next T20I series, Warner stated that he has always liked playing against New Zealand in New Zealand and that he will remain focused on his game regardless of how the spectators greet him and his squad.
“Probably not, to be fair,” Warner said when he asked if he was expecting to be left alone by the crowd.
“Over here, it’s always the harsh reality that we’re neighbours, in sport we like to beat each other. From that perspective, we’re going to be expecting the crowd to come at us as hard as they come.
“As we always say, it’s in one ear, out the other – if I actually hear anything. It’s about coming out and trying to put my best foot forward, and score runs.
“The crowd, yeah, they got personal, but if they have to get personal, that’s their character. I just go about my business. But that’s upon each individual, if that’s what they feel like they have to do, then so be it. If you want to pay your money to come and abuse people, you have to go back and lay in your own bed,” Warner added.
Wellington will host the opening T20I of the series on Wednesday, while Auckland will host the last two matches on Friday and Sunday, before the two teams play a two-Test series.
The post AUS vs NZ: David Warner Calls Out New Zealand Crowd for Abuse, Anticipates Cold Farewell in T20I Series appeared first on Cricket Country.