'Top banter': David Warner's hilarious act gets Barmy Army roaring
It’s been a tough return to Test cricket for David Warner, but you can’t say he doesn’t have thick skin.
The target of boos and jibes throughout the Cricket World Cup in England, it would have come to no surprise for Warner that the rowdy Edgbaston crowd would be giving it to him once again in the first Ashes Test.
'NEVER LOOKED COMFORTABLE': Pressure builds on Bancroft and Warner
'WORST SINCE BREXIT': England star mocked over horror moment
And did they ever.
Once the chorus of boos was out of the way on day one, the Barmy Army set about their usual pesky antics, singing ‘he’s got sandpaper in his hands’ to the tune of children’s song He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands.
Fans in elaborate fancy dress led the singing from the notorious Hollies Stand.
It was no coincidence that Warner was fielding on the boundary near this particularly vocal section of the crowd.
Showing he is not above a laugh at his own expense, a grinning Warner turned his pockets inside out for the English crowd to prove it was not the case.
A huge cheer erupted from the stands when he did so - although the English fans’ attempts to annoy Warner will likely be far from over.
Warner’s cheeky rebuttal won him a few fans on social media as well.
Think I've forgiven Smith and Warner for their sandpaper scandal. They are taking the banter from the crowd with good grace, the series is definitely a better one with them both playing. Thoroughly enjoying this test, I hope the next 4 are of similar competitiveness. #Ashes19
— Andrew tarplee (@bigtarps) August 3, 2019
Emptying his pockets for the crowd, To show he got no sandpaper! Top Banter from David warner!😂 https://t.co/6JB8vqldAG
— Nuhash Ahmed (@nuhashahmed92) August 3, 2019
#TheAshes2019 #ENGvAUS A great days test cricket which included David Warner emptying his pockets in front of the crowd to show he had no “sandpaper”. Tell you what, that is self mockery if ever I’ve seen it!
— GusMcC (@gusmccormack) August 3, 2019
Fair play to David Warner showing his hands and emptying his pockets to the crowd as they chant “he’s got the sandpaper in his hands” at him 😂😂#TheAshes #Ashes
— Matthew Leggett (@RealMattLeggett) August 3, 2019
No smiles as Warner dismissed cheaply
However, there were no smiles from the Sydneysider about an hour later when the third umpire overturned a not out on-field decision after footage showed he'd edged a Stuart Broad delivery into the gloves of Jonny Bairstow for eight.
It followed the two runs Warner scored in the first innings after he failed to review an lbw decision that would have been overturned.
Despite his lean return in Birmingham, Australia quick James Pattinson said Warner remained in good spirits.
"The good thing with Davy he is just the same person whether he is scoring runs or not," Pattinson said.
Fellow opener Cameron Bancroft, who scored two in his first innings, once again saw his technique face a stiff examination against the new-ball pairing of Broad and Chris Woakes.
However, it was off-spinner Moeen Ali who dismissed Bancroft for seven in his second visit to the crease after he prodded the ball into the grateful hands of short-leg fielder Jos Buttler.
WITH AAP
