David Warner could face disciplinary action from the ICC after he reacted angrily to his dismissal during Australia’s victory over Sri Lanka.
Warner looked to be in fine form early on against Sri Lanka, smacking Lahiru Kumara for a six and a four in the first over of Australia’s innings.
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However, Warner’s blistering early spell came to a shuddering halt with the first ball of the fourth over.
Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka fired down a delivery that didn’t quite bounce as high as Warner anticipated and although he tried to make the adjustment, the ball cannoned off his pads.
The ball looked as if it could have gone down leg stump, but Sri Lanka vocally appealed and got their wish when umpire Joel Wilson raised his finger.
Warner immediately reviewed the decision, feeling confident the ball had missed the stumps.
Unfortunately for the 36-year-old, his review was unsuccessful as the ball tracking technology showed Madushanka’s delivery would have clipped leg stump, which meant it was narrowly umpire’s call.
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Given Wilson’s signal was out, it meant Warner was on his way for just 11 runs off six deliveries.
Safe to say, he was not happy with the decision and seemed to have some choice words as he walked off the field.
“He gets the message David Warner. He’s none so happy about it,” Ian Smith said in commentary.
“But he cannot argue with technology. He leaves the ground in a huff it is fair to say.”
Aaron Finch didn’t agree though, saying: “You can absolutely see why David Warner wasn’t happy.
“Live it just didn’t look like it was going to be smashing into the middle, or middle and leg. And the umpire’s call.
“It’s the fine line. Umpire gives it not out, then David Warner is still batting. It’s just clipping leg stump.”
But his audible frustrations could come at a cost because players can be fined for “excessive, obvious disappointment with an umpire’s decision,” per the ICC’s Code of Conduct.
Sri Lanka followed up Warner’s wicket by dismissing Steve Smith for a duck in the same over to leave Australian fans pondering a third-straight defeat at the World Cup.
However, the Aussies steadied the ship thanks to Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis to secure a much-needed five-wicket victory to get their World Cup campaign back on track.
