The era of David Warner, the international cricketer, is over and the career of David Warner, the commentator, has just begun, but it is off to a very rocky start.
Warner was one of Australia’s most prolific openers before retiring earlier this year, with more than 8,400 runs in Test cricket, including 25 centuries and a high score of 335 not out.
In One Day Internationals he amassed over 6300 runs with 20 centuries, while in T20 Internationals he scored over 2800 runs including a ton and 24 fifties.
He represented Australia in three ICC Cricket World Cups, winning the title in 2015 and excelled in all formats with his aggressive, high-scoring batting style.
However, as the Australian summer of cricket began at the MCG on Monday with an ODI against Pakistan that saw Coldplay singer Chris Martin in the stands, many were merciless in their criticism of the next stage of Warner’s cricket career. .
‘I managed to get through two overs from David Warner before silencing. I will try to improve this effort throughout the summer,” posted one Australian cricket supporter.
“Who thought David Warner’s brain was valuable enough to add to a commentary team?” asked another.
“David Warner has been commentating for once and I’ve had enough of him,” fumed a third.
David Warner has had a nervous start to his new career as a cricket commentator on Fox Sports.
Some cricket fans criticized Warner for continually making comments about himself.
‘The comments (sic) seem to have gone a bit off in the last few minutes. He needs to go back to David Warner’s favorite song, David Warner,” one fan posted.
‘David Warner on commentary: “I’d love to be there, but I’ve pulled out for a reason.” David Warner, the narcissist, once again focuses on himself,” another post reads.
Former Aussie Test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist asked Mitchell Starc during a break in the game if things were “calmer” on the field without Warner.
—Is he there behind you? Starc responded with a laugh.
Warner (second from left) has joined a host of cricketing greats including (left to right) Adam Gilchrist, Wasim Akram and Mark Waugh.
Fans were unhappy with Warner’s start to his career as a commentator, but he adapted to the role and was happy to make jokes at their expense.
However, Warner was happy to take the criticism in stride and even took the mickey out of it on several occasions, such as this exchange with commentators Mark Howard and Kerry O’Keeffe.
“If it happened on a cricket field, Kerry will know it happened,” said presenter Mark Howard.
‘I saw him with a 96-page booklet there, he was writing on it and using a permanent marker. I looked over and there were six more of those books,” Warner said in amazement.
‘I wonder: have I done my research here?’
“It’s a light read, David, don’t worry,” O’Keeffe said.
Then, after a break to call the action, Warner sent his fellow commentators into a tizzy by responding, “You lost me reading.”
Warner (pictured with wife Candice) retired from all forms of international cricket this year.
Warner ended his career in green and gold with victories in The Ashes, T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and a host of other achievements to his name.
It comes after Foxtel Group chief executive Patrick Delany announced that Warner would join the commentary team in February.
“David Warner has been one of our most exciting cricketers since he burst onto the international scene in 2009, and we are delighted to have him join our world-class FOX CRICKET team,” Delany said.
“A fiercely loyal and tough competitor on the field, he is an exceptional analyst of the game and will bring unique insights and perspectives to our Fox Sports coverage across FOX CRICKET on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.”
Fox Sports chief executive Steve Crawley added: “We will never replace Shane Warne or Andrew Symonds in the FOX CRICKET commentary team. But if you had a single chance to pick one recruit from all of world cricket, you would pick David Warner .
‘When he came out to bat, you could double your audience. He made cricket exciting.
“And at the end of his career he is the same as he was at the beginning: a fearless, swashbuckling individual.
“I’ve been in sports broadcasting for a long time and I think David Warner is as cut out for commentary as he is for opening the batting. He’s very welcome to our Fox team.”
