Cricket icon David Warner pleads responsible to ‘silly and reckless’ drink-driving

Australian cricket legend and pantomime Ashes villain David Warner has pleaded guilty to drink-driving and admitted his behaviour was ‘foolish’ and ‘reckless’

Former Australia batter David Warner has pleaded guilty to drink-driving, according to Australian media reports.

The 39-year-old, who was booed by English fans during the 2019 Ashes series, was charged following a random breath test in Sydney in April. Warner faces a minimum disqualification from driving of six months, a potential fine of up to 2,200 Australian dollars (£1,150) and a possible prison sentence of up to nine months.

Sentencing has been set for August 18. Warner’s lawyer Bobby Hill told a court hearing in May that the cricketer drank three glasses of wine at a friend’s apartment before getting in his car on Easter Sunday.

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Hill said after that hearing, quoted by news.com.au, that his client accepted responsibility and knew his behaviour had been “foolish” and “reckless”.

Hill told reporters: “He knows what he did was wrong. He accepts that was a reckless decision, a foolish decision to get in his car instead of taking an Uber.”

He added that Warner had consumed three glasses of wine at a friend’s apartment before deciding to drive: “It’s not a crime to have a glass of wine on the day of the Lord’s resurrection. In fact, some would consider that completely appropriate.

“His crime is, as I said, choosing a foolish plan A instead of a plan B.”

The lawyer added that Warner’s final drink was 11 minutes before he was stopped by police and the player was sorry for his actions and would seek leniency from the court.

Warner represented Australia in 383 matches across all formats between 2009 and 2024. He is currently captain of Pakistan Super League side Karachi Kings and also skippers the Sydney Thunder.