Michael Clarke, Hazlewood unimpressed with Warner walking off the field

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke looked in absolute disbelief when David Warner walked off the field on day one. The occasion was set for the third and the final Test at Adelaide. South Africa were already 9 down and it was then that Warner rushed out of the field.

A shoulder injury saw him walk off but Clarke found it absolutely unintelligent behavior. Having known that the Proteas are 9 down and could declare anytime, Warner should have stayed on the field. The kind of experience Warner has, he should have known the rules of the game.

The ICC Test match playing rules states that if a player is absent from the field for more than 8 minutes then the player shall not be permitted to bat unless or until, in the aggregate, he has returned to the field and/or his side’s innings has been in progress for at least that length of playing time for which he has been absent or, if earlier, when his side has lost five wickets.

Michael Clarke definitely looked disappointed at the situation. South African skipper Faf du Plessis was batting at the crease with the last batsman Tabraiz Shamsi. Du Plessis made full use of his match awareness and declared soon after he saw Warner walk off. As a result, Australia were left with no other option but to send in Usman Khawaja to open the innings with Matt Renshaw.

Also read – Australia annoyed by Faf du Plessis’ surprising declaration

Michael Clarke was in the commentary box when Warner was rushing off the field. He was heard saying that it is unbelievable to see Warner go off the field at such stage in the game.

“I cannot believe I am seeing this. The Australian vice-captain has gone off the field when South Africa are nine down with the risk or understanding they could declare at any time and it looks like he has spent so much time off the field he cannot open the batting for Australia,” quoted Michael Clarke.

“This is massive for this Australian batting line-up, the second most senior player – vice captain of the team – can’t walk out and open the batting in tough conditions,” added the former skipper. David’s team mate Josh Hazlewood also spoke about the issue. He said that Warner is experienced enough to know that he has done it wrong and would apologise to the group and specially Usman Khawaja.

“(We) know the rules and he was off the field for too long. He’ll hold himself accountable, that’s how Davey goes,” remarked Josh Hazlewood. “He’ll know he did the wrong thing and apologise to the group, especially Usman. He’ll learn from it and hopefully it doesn’t happen again,” he added.