David Warner savaged by cricket fans over helicopter arrival at SCG for BBL game

David Warner is copping it from cricket fans after flying from his brother's wedding to the Sydney derby BBL game via helicopter. The Sydney Thunder clashed with the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Friday night, with Test players Warner and Steve Smith available to play.

Warner was desperate to play as it looms as the final time he will clash with good mate Smith, after announcing his retirement from Test and ODI cricket last week. But the 37-year-old also had the wedding of his brother Steve on Friday in the Hunter Valley.

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To make sure he could attend both, Warner organised for a helicopter to fly him from Cessnock to the SCG - where he landed directly on the playing field just before the game. The original plan was for Warner's chopper to land inside Allianz Stadium next door to the SCG, but that was scuppered due to concerns over what it would do to the playing surface before A-League games this weekend.

He therefore landed directly on the SCG turf before the gates opened to fans and broadcasters had set up. He spent close to 45 minutes in the air alongside wife Candice, before landing in front of the members' stand in front of a crowd of around 300 ground and Cricket NSW staff.

"It was good, it was quite cool," Warner told Greg Blewett on Channel 7. "To see Sydney from up above on a cracking day was amazing. It was amazing to see my brother wed with his wife Emily. It was a great evening.

"I've done my utmost best to get down here and hopefully put some runs on the board. I might look like a bit of a goose if I don't get any runs but it's my contribution to not just the BBL but Australian cricket. I want to be out here. I want to entertain. I want to try and help our team win the next three games."

In stark contrast, Sixers player Sean Abbott arrived on a hired bicycle just moments after Warner touched down. "He is a bit Hollywood isn't he, it is very Davey," Abbott said on Thursday. "I got the Lime bike in today and I'll be doing the same tomorrow night. So I'll be just riding out the gate there as Davey lands.

"But I'm glad they're making it happen. Because I think everyone in the country who is a fan of cricket wants to see David Warner playing in the BBL ... I'm really glad he's making the trip down to be involved."

Warner's audacious travel plans have been widely panned on social media, with many questioning why he wouldn't just remain at the wedding for his brother's big day. Former AFL player Will Schofield commented: "Maybe just stay at your brother's wedding." Others described it as "cringe" and "ridiculous", but plenty also found it rather entertaining.

David Warner forced to fly home from Dubai for West Indies T20s

Meanwhile, George Bailey has revealed that Cricket Australia expects Warner to fly home from Dubai to take part in T20 internationals against the West Indies in February. Warner's Test and ODI careers may have ended, but he's still keen to play franchise T20 cricket and feature for Australia at next year's T20 World Cup.

He will play the final three regular season games for the Thunder in the BBL, before heading to the United Arab Emirates to link up with the Dubai Capitals - owned by his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. However he will be made to return home to Australia for three T20Is against the West Indies in Hobart, Adelaide and Perth between February 9 and 13.

It means he will miss the finals of the ILT20 in the UAE should Dubai make it. Bailey, who is Australia's chief selector, confirmed on Wednesday that Warner will have to be back to play in the home T20s, which will double as his last international matches on home soil.

"He'll be part of those T20s at the back end of the summer and the ones in New Zealand as well," Bailey said. "That's the same with all our Australian contracted players. If they're going to be selected in a squad then they're available. If they're not (selected), then it depends what sort of domestic cricket responsibilities they have before they are cleared to play elsewhere."

with AAP

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