Stuart Broad’s father, match referee, reprimanded by ICC for scornful David Warner tweet during 3rd Ashes Test
David Warner’s final Ashes series of his career may not be going as he expected, as Australia maintain a resounding 2-0 lead against England. Warner, who has been struggling for runs for over 18 months now, has fallen victim to fast bowler Stuart Broad once again, taking the tally to 17 times in his career. This brings Warner’s total dismissals against Broad to seven in the 2019 Ashes series in England and three times already in the ongoing series. This impressive record places Broad’s dismissals of Warner as the joint third-highest by a bowler against a single batter in Test history, alongside Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, who both dismissed Mike Atherton multiple times.
During the recent Ashes Test at Headingley, Warner was caught by Zak Crawley on Day 2, prompting an inappropriate response from Stuart Broad’s father, Chris Broad, who is also an ICC referee. He shared a tweet that featured an image of Warner’s head superimposed on Bart Simpson’s body, with the caption: Stuart Broad has got me out again. Although Chris Broad deleted the tweet shortly afterward, it had already sparked controversy and gone viral. The International Cricket Council (ICC) reprimanded Chris Broad for his tweet, deeming it an inappropriate action given his position within the organization.
It is worth noting that Warner’s struggles with the bat have been evident throughout the past 18 months, with his best performance being a double century in his 100th Test against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). However, despite his recent struggles, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald defended the veteran batter, highlighting the importance of the opening partnerships that Warner shares with Usman Khawaja in the series. McDonald believes that while it may be expected for an opening batsman to fall victim to an opening bowler with a new ball, the consistent 50-plus run partnerships between Warner and Khawaja have been significant and impactful for the team.
The incident involving Chris Broad’s tweet is a reminder of the power and influence of social media, as well as the need for individuals associated with the game to exercise restraint and professionalism online. While the ICC did not make an official statement regarding the incident, sources close to The Age confirmed that Chris Broad was reprimanded and made aware of the inappropriateness of his actions. This incident serves as a reminder to all those involved in cricket that maintaining professionalism and integrity both on and off the field is crucial.
As the Ashes series continues, it remains to be seen if Warner can overcome his struggles and make a significant impact with the bat. Despite the ongoing challenges, Warner’s presence and experience in the team are recognized by his coach, and his contribution extends beyond individual performance. The series between Australia and England serves as a reminder of the intense rivalry and captivating battles that cricket fans eagerly anticipate, with individual records and personal rivalries adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.
