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  • David Warner Criticises South African Fans Years After Sandpaper Gate

David Warner Criticises South African Fans Years After Sandpaper Gate

Anurag Dasgupta

Warner takes dig at South African fans [Source: AFP] Warner takes dig at South African fans [Source: AFP]

Former Australian cricketer David Warner was critical of the South African fans as he slammed them for not attending the Test matches against Australia despite them saying that Test cricket is the pinnacle. Warner has had a strained relationship with the Proteas fans ever since the infamous Sandpaper Gate incident happened.

Despite Australia being one of the top Test teams, and South Africa being the reigning WTC champions, fewer than 20,000 fans attended across the five days (1st Test match). The situation remained the same for the ongoing Test, and Warner was not happy.

Warner slams South African fans for low attendance during ongoing series

David Warner took to his X account (Twitter) and questioned the South African fans for not attending the Test match.

"We keep hearing how important Test cricket is, but where are the fans in South Africa? Empty stands, no atmosphere, and we’re supposed to believe the format is thriving? You can’t keep calling Test cricket the pinnacle of the game if no one turns up to watch it. Harsh reality, but someone has to say it. Pathetic," the former cricketer tweeted.

Since the Sandpaper Gate event in 2018, the fans in South Africa have been critical of Warner, and the Aussie legend returned the favour as he took a dig at them for not attending the game from the stadium.

Warner also slams Australian management for not playing Lyon

Not only the Proteas fans, but the left-handed great also slammed the Australian management for not playing Nathan Lyon in the second Test.

On a green top, Australia dropped Lyon as they added Scott Boland to the lineup. However, on Day 3, Pat Cummins used Matt Renshaw, the part-time spinner, to dismiss Temba Bavuma. This prompted Warner to criticise the management for bowling a part-timer instead of playing a regular spinner.

"Can’t believe Matt Renshaw is now bowling where is Nathan Lyon?? All the kids around the world want to see a spinner," Warner tweeted.

The experiment to use Renshaw didn’t work for the Australian skipper as the Proteas batters played him carefully, and in the five overs that he bowled, the spinner conceded 18 runs without troubling the batters.