Disgraced Australian vice-captain David Warner has reportedly infuriated his former teammates by drinking champagne with ‘non-cricketing mates’ at the team’s luxury hotel in Cape Town.
In the latest twist in the ball tampering scandal, Fox Sports News is reporting that members of the Australian cricket team believe Warner has ‘gone rogue’ since the scandal broke on Saturday – and want him removed from their hotel before there’s ‘an incident’ between the star batsman and the rest of the team.
Warner, who is in South Africa with his wife Candice and their two children, has also reportedly removed himself from the team’s WhatsApp group chat in a further snub of his teammates.
The Courier Mail is reporting the feud between Warner and some of the playing group reached a new level after his testimony to Cricket Australia officials.
It’s being reported that members of the Australian cricket team believe Warner has ‘gone rogue’ since the scandal broke on Saturday – and want him removed from their hotel before there’s ‘an incident’
The Courier Mail report states that some players are of the belief that Warner would be willing to throw them all ‘under the bus’ as a means of protecting himself.
Reports also indicate that some players don’t just want Warner removed from the hotel, but from the tour completely.
If true, it is another blow to the credibility of Warner after it was reported by Fairfax Media that he was the likely ‘ring leader’ in the ball tampering plan.
The Courier Mail report states that some players are of the belief that Warner would be willing to throw them all ‘under the bus’ as a means of protecting himself
However when Nine News reported they had been told by a source within that bowlers were a part of the ball tampering plot some within the team feared it was Warner who had told the media outlet.
In an interesting twist, The Courier Mail claims CA officials were told that Warner and bowler Cameron Bancroft were the alleged ring leaders of the plot and that Smith was guilty of allowing it to go ahead.
However Fairfax Media reported that sources close to Warner had denied that he was the ring leader.
If true, it is another blow to the credibility of Warner after it was reported by Fairfax Media that he was the likely ‘ring leader’ in the ball tampering plan
‘Those in the hierarchy at CA have been made aware of suggestions that the vice-captain was the chief conspirator and that Smith foolishly agreed,’ the Fairfax report read.
Cricket Australia officials, including CEO James Sutherland are in Cape Town to investigate the incident before handing down a punishment.
An announcement by Cricket Australia about the fate of the two players is expected on Wednesday.