Sydney: David Warner is one of Australia’s most successful openers, with nearly 19,000 international runs across formats.
However, the left-hander has often courted controversy during his long career.
The 39-year-old Warner, who continues to play franchise cricket after retiring from the international stage, is in the news again for the wrong reasons.
Warner, who is leading Karachi Kings in the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, was back home for a short break in between matches. On Sunday, Warner was charged with drink-driving in Sydney and arrested.
According to media reports, Warner attempted to stop and park his vehicle shortly before reaching the breath testing site, prompting officers to approach his vehicle.
He was subjected to a roadside test, and found to have consumed alcohol above the acceptable limit.
At the police station, Warner returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.104, more than double the legal limit in Australia. He was subsequently charged, arrested, and taken to Maroubra police station.
The former Australian opener has been ordered to appear in court next month.
“About 5.30 pm today (Sunday 5 April 2026), police were conducting stationary random breath testing on Malabar Road, Maroubra. A van was seen to allegedly stop short of the testing site and park. Officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command approached the vehicle and subjected the driver – a 39-year-old man – to roadside testing which
returned a positive result,” the police statement read.
“He was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station where a second test allegedly returned a reading of 0.104. The man was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for drive with middle-range PCA to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 7 May 2026.”
It remains to be seen if Warner can return to Pakistan for the remainder of his team’s campaign.
WARNER’S CONTROVERSIES
Ball-Tampering Scandal (2018) – Warner was a central figure in the infamous ‘Sandpaper-gate’ in the Cape Town Test versus South Africa. Along with then-captain Steve Smith, he was found to have conspired to alter the ball’s surface. Warner was banned for one year from international/domestic cricket and was slapped a lifetime ban from leadership roles, which was later lifted in 2024.
Punching Joe Root (2013) — Warner punched Joe Root in the early hours of June 10, 2013, at a Birmingham bar after England’s 48-run win over Australia in the Champions Trophy, resulting in a suspension and a fine of 5,750 Australian dollars. Warner’s attack on Root was over a misunderstanding involving a green and gold wig.
Altercation with Quinton de Kock (2018) — Warner had a stairwell altercation with Quinton de Kock during the first Test in Durban after the South African wicketkeeper-batter made a personal, vulgar comment about the former’s wife Candice. CCTV footage showed an aggressive Warner being restrained by teammates from confronting De Kock. Both players were fined and slapped demerit points under ICC code of conduct.
Social media outbursts (2011, 2013) — Warner was fined for an abusive Twitter (now X) rant against journalists in 2013. In 2011, he had a similar dispute with former player Brett Geeves.