David Warner mocked over innocuous Ashes act: 'Interesting dynamic'

David Warner must think he can't please anyone at the moment - and he might have a point, after the Australian opener was thoroughly mocked by both cricket fans and commentators during the first innings at Lord's. Fresh from a welcome knock of 66 on day one, Warner was back in the pavilion as Steve Smith and Alex Carey resumed Australia's innings on day two.

Faced with little to do but wait until it was the Aussies' turn in the field, Warner was pictured on the broadcast whipping out a book of crossword puzzles - only for the cricket world to take that as an opportunity to mercilessly mock the 36-year-old. He was copping it from all angles, including some friendly fire from former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.

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“I was trying to get a close-up to see if it was a kids’ one or not,” Ponting quipped from the commentary booth as social media inevitably seized on the moment as well. The Barmy Army's account on Twitter asked followers to caption the image - with many relaying their surprise that Warner could read in the first place.

It also prompted speculation as to which of his teammates would be the most and least helpful in terms of completing the puzzles - with the enigmatic Marnus Labuschagne copping a few strays himself. While all in good fun, one wonders what must have been going through Warner's mind after discovering how thoroughly the mickey had been taken.

"Warner doing the crossword must create an interesting dynamic in the dressing room," one fan wrote on Twitter. "Which of his team-mates would be the most and least useful in that scenario? Marnus probably thinks he’s good at it but would keep suggesting words that don’t fit."

David Warner battling bruising on his left hand

While a steadier contribution from Australia's top order was a welcome sight, a cloud will hang over Warner for the third Test after he revealed he has been battling a bruised finger on his left hand, courtesy of a Mohammed Shami delivery in the WTC final. Another knock in the nets in the lead-up to the second Ashes Test as well as an existing stone bruise on his left thumb have left the veteran in a world of discomfort at the crease.

His form has been steadily gaining momentum, with his first innings knock his first half-century since announcing he would retire from Test cricket after the SCG Test at the end of this year. He notched 43 in Australia's first innings against India, before adding 36 in Australia's second innings run-chase at Edgbaston.

While a steadier contribution from Australia's top order was a welcome sight, a cloud will hang over Warner for the third Test after he revealed he has been battling a bruised finger on his left hand, courtesy of a Mohammed Shami delivery in the WTC final. Another knock in the nets in the lead-up to the second Ashes Test as well as an existing stone bruise on his left thumb have left the veteran in a world of discomfort at the crease.

His form has been steadily gaining momentum, with his first innings knock his first half-century since announcing he would retire from Test cricket after the SCG Test at the end of this year. He notched 43 in Australia's first innings against India, before adding 36 in Australia's second innings run-chase at Edgbaston.

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