David Warner cops it from Kiwi crowd in 'really poor' scenes during first T20
The New Zealand crowd didn't hold back when the Aussie veteran walked off the field.
David Warner played his last international match in Wellington on Wednesday night and his reception when walking off the ground from the New Zealand crowd has prompted a stir. The rivals produced one of the all-time great T20 matches with Tim David hitting a four off the last delivery to hand Australia a thrilling win.
Aussie captain Mitch Marsh won player-of-the-match honours after a brilliant 72 off 44 ball innings, which allowed David to come in and blast 31 runs off just 10 deliveries to help chase down 216. Australia's win marked the biggest international T20 run chase at Wellington and set-up the series perfectly heading into Auckland.
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However, many viewers couldn't help but point out the brutal reception Warner received when walking off the field at the stadium. Warner retired from red-ball and One Day International cricket for Australia in January, but announced he will play through to the T20 World Cup.
The opener was playing his last T20 game in Wellington and prior to the game he admitted he could be targeted from the crowd. He also suggested he might not get a warm send-off like other parts of the world.
And Warner was right. The opener scored 32 runs off 20 balls to help set-up Australia's innings. As the 37-year-old trudged off the field, boos could be heard ringing around Sky Stadium.
Warner responded by blowing a kiss and waving to the crowd as he crossed the boundary rope. "He is being booed by 20,000 fans, and that is class. I love that. The crowd gets a thank you very much," the commentator said of Warner's gesture.
Although viewers were quick to call out the Wellington crowd with Warner waving goodbye after his final match at the stadium. Many felt regardless of what cricket fans thought of Warner's career, the veteran deserved a better send off. Others loved Warner's cheeky gesture in response to the jeers.
Unreal hate by the kiwis
— Trey (@Axciem96) February 21, 2024
David Warner serenaded off the field by a chorus of boos from the crowd. He gives them a little wave as he walks off#NZvAUS
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) February 21, 2024
Really really poor from the basin reserve crowd to boo of David Warner, they really wish they had a player like Warner
— The Cricket Statistican (@BMWfanforever12) February 21, 2024
Boos ring out all around Wellington
“What a send off, the crowd showing their appreciation for David Warner” #nzvaus— Joseph (@josephryan79) February 21, 2024
Warner blowing a kiss to NZ crowd after receiving lots of boos 😂😂😂 #NZvAUS
— Dc8742 (@dc8742) February 21, 2024
David Warner predicts harsh crowd response
Only days ahead of his final three matches in New Zealand, Warner predicted a hostile reception. Warner has received a mixed reaction from cricket fans since announcing his retirement. In his final Test in Sydney in January, he was given a standing ovation from the crowd but faced a more subdued reception in his final T20 match in Perth - his last international game on home soil. And Warner predicted some reaction from the crowd in New Zealand.
"Over here, it’s always the harsh reality that we’re neighbours, in sport we like to beat each other," he said. "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."
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