Cricket star David Warner was described as 'foolish' and 'reckless' by his lawyer after being charged with drink driving on Easter Sunday. The 39-year-old former Australian Test opener and current Sydney Thunder Big Bash captain allegedly blew 0.104, more than double the legal blood alcohol limit, after being pulled over in Sydney's east on 5 April.
Warner did not appear in Waverley Local Court on Thursday when his matter was first mentioned and quickly adjourned. He has not yet entered a plea, but his lawyer Bobby Hill foreshadowed a guilty plea at a later date. 'He knows what he did was wrong,' Hill told reporters outside court. 'He accepts that was a reckless decision, a foolish decision to get in his car instead of taking an Uber.'
Hill explained that Warner had enjoyed three glasses of wine at a friend's apartment before making the decision 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,' Hill said. 'His crime is, as I said, choosing a foolish plan A instead of a plan B.'
Warner's last drink was reportedly 11 minutes before he was pulled over, and police took 52 minutes to administer the secondary breathalyser test at Maroubra Police Station. Hill emphasized that Warner is remorseful and will ask for leniency but expects to be punished like any other NSW citizen. 'This case before the court is a reminder to everyone in the public about the dangers of self-assessments,' Hill said.
The charge has cast doubt on Warner's captaincy of the Sydney Thunder. Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon stated, 'The allegations are of course concerning and we take them very seriously. At Cricket NSW, we are strong advocates for safe driving, not drink-driving.'
Warner was arrested during an Easter trip home from the Pakistan Super League, where he captained the Karachi Kings. He returned to Pakistan after being charged to resume the T20 tournament, averaging an impressive 51.2 with the bat. His matter will return to court on 24 June.
