Cricket star David Warner was 'foolish' and 'reckless' when he drove after sharing several glasses of wine with friends on Easter Sunday, his lawyer has said. The 39-year-old Australian batter was charged with mid-range drink driving after returning a positive alcohol test in Sydney's east on 5 April.
Incident Details
Police reported that Warner stopped short of a roadside breath test before being taken to Maroubra Police Station, where a secondary test allegedly recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.104 — more than double the legal limit. The former Australian Test opener and current Sydney Thunder Big Bash captain was subsequently charged.
Court Proceedings
Warner was not required to appear in Waverley Local Court on Thursday when his matter was first mentioned and quickly adjourned. He has not yet entered a plea, but his lawyer Bobby Hill indicated a guilty plea would be entered at a later date. Speaking outside the court, Hill said: 'He knows what he did was wrong. He accepts that was a reckless decision, a foolish decision to get in his car instead of taking an Uber.'
Defence Remarks
Hill elaborated that Warner had enjoyed three glasses of wine at a friend's apartment before deciding to drive. 'It's not a crime to have a glass of wine on the day of the lord's resurrection. In fact, some would consider that completely appropriate,' he told reporters. 'His crime is, as I said, choosing a foolish plan A instead of a plan B.'
Hill noted that Warner's last drink had been consumed just 11 minutes before he was pulled over, and accused police of taking 52 minutes to administer the second breathalyser test. The cricket star is remorseful, Hill explained, which is why he will ask for leniency but expects to be punished like any other NSW citizen.
Impact on Career
The charge has cast doubt on Warner's captaincy of the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League. Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon said after the arrest: 'The allegations are of course concerning and we take them very seriously. At Cricket NSW, we are strong advocates for safe driving, not drink-driving.'
Warner was arrested during an Easter trip home from Pakistan, where he had been captaining the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League. He returned to Pakistan after being charged to resume the T20 tournament, averaging an impressive 51.2 with the bat. His matter will return to court on 24 June.
