David Warner calls out New Zealand fans behavior towards Aussies. Warner reminisced on the bullying he and his teammates endured during their 2016 tour of New Zealand.
David Warner, the experienced Australian batsman, has once again highlighted the “derogatory and vulgar” abuse he received from New Zealand supporters on his recent visit. The seasoned cricketer is prepared to explore the country for the final time before hanging up his international boots. Warner, who played his last Test for Australia last month, is also nearing the end of his brilliant white-ball career.
Ahead of the first T20I on Wednesday in Wellington, the 37-year-old recalled the vitriol he and his colleagues endured on the 2016 tour, including personal assaults on his family. Warner voiced alarm about the behavior of some New Zealand spectators.
“They got personal. If they have to get personal, that’s their character. I just go about my business. That’s upon each individual. If you want to pay your money to come and abuse people then, you know, you have to go back and lay in your own bed. We get to play the game of cricket that we love,” said Warner.
We don’t expect to wake up and be hounded for six or seven hours – Warner
Reflecting on the same tour, Warner described the abuse as “derogatory and vulgar,” emphasizing the grief it caused him and his teammates. He underlined the effects of such behavior on his family.
“To be honest, that will always be on our thoughts. Whether you’re at home or away, you’ll face some type of abuse. We do not expect to wake up and be pursued for six or seven hours. Some of the content was disparaging and nasty, and the most disturbing part was that if my two daughters were in the audience, I wouldn’t want them to hear it,” he continued.
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Warner stated that the abuse went beyond simple banter
To the point where players felt obligated to voice concerns and request the removal of chronically disruptive supporters.
“Some of the boys raised the issue, [to say] ‘Can you get rid of this bloke, because it’s just not necessary’,” he said.
Despite the negative memories linked with New Zealand tours, Warner recognised the importance of the Australia-New Zealand rivalry.
“I have not been here since 2016, I believe, so it has been a long. I believe Zealand visited us six or seven times over that time period. So it’s fantastic to be back here, for sure,” the left-hander said.
Australia is visiting New Zealand for three T20Is and two Tests. Notably, the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will now include T20Is as well as ODIs. The series begins on February 21 in Wellington.
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