David Warner has reiterated his jibe aimed at Joe Root, sparking a tense exchange with Stuart Broad during an event in London. The former Australian opener stirred controversy recently by critiquing Root’s performance in the Ashes series, particularly highlighting his difficulties against Josh Hazlewood’s bowling. Warner provocatively described Root’s front pad as a “surfboard,” adding a competitive edge to the upcoming five-match series between Australia and England.
While Warner, who is now 38 and retired from international cricket, is competing in The Hundred with the London Spirit, he made sure to stir the pot regarding cricket’s historic rivalry. Speaking to BBC Sport, Warner said, “I’m a walking headline,” emphasising the role of players in building excitement around series. He praised Root as a formidable player while playfully suggesting that distracting him before the series would be advantageous.
The situation turned more awkward when Warner encountered Broad, who had previously defended Root against Warner’s comments. Broad quipped, “Do you always call your pads surfboards, or do you save that for Rooty?” Warner acknowledged Broad’s recent social media post and committed to responding after the game, justifying his choice of words by saying he describes all pads as “surfboards” due to his height.
Warner also commented on the reception from England fans, remarking that it had been positive so far, though he anticipated the typical jests to come as he played outside London. Broad promptly agreed, suggesting that the banter was likely inevitable.
On the field, Warner’s performance for the London Spirit was underwhelming, as he was dismissed for a mere nine runs in a match where the Oval Invincibles secured a convincing six-wicket victory at Lord’s.