Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has inspired South Africa to place friendships apart and sledge David Warner as ‘Sandpapergate’ once more threatens to destabilise Australian cricket.
The Gabba collection opener is the primary Test between Australia and South Africa because the fateful sandpaper collection in 2018.
It has been a horror week for Warner after he struggled with the bat in Perth after he withdrew his software to have his management ban overturned and his spouse was abused by the Adelaide Oval crowd.
Clarke believes Warner can anticipate extra verbal within the first Test towards South Africa and believes it’s honest recreation so long as the gamers don’t cross the road.
“Their approach to any player that was involved in that ‘Sandpapergate’, they’ve got it mate,” Clarke stated on Sky Sports radio’s The Big Sports Breakfast.
“It doesn’t need to cross the line, but you can make it very clear to someone like David Warner that the Australian fans are off him.”
Clarke warned Warner may face a barrage by ball and mouth, however believes the sledging South Africans can even assist the Australian opener rediscover his mojo with the bat.
“I want to see Davey Warner, if they have a crack at him on the field while he’s batting, go back to being that Bulldog and give it back to them, Davey,” Clarke stated.
Australia’s collection towards South Africa, which begins on Saturday comes per week after Warner’s spouse Candice revealed she was abused by drunk followers on the Adelaide Oval, whereas her kids had been current.
“They were weak, they were gutless and they didn’t own up to what they did,” Mrs Warner stated on Triple M.
“I’m now starting to feel like it is not safe for me and my kids to attend the sport.”
Warner refused a proposal from Cricket Australia for a safety escort for future occasions, saying “she doesn’t need special security or protection”.
“I got the call [from Cricket Australia] saying, ‘Look, we don’t want you or your family feeling unsafe at the cricket,” Mrs Warner revealed on Triple M Summer Breakfast.
“We know how much your support means to David and the team and this is what we would like to offer.
“I just said it was unnecessary. I don’t need an escort, I’m very independent and I can stick up for myself.
“It’s more about the safety of all the players and their partners and families, and just everyone in general.
“I want everyone to go to the cricket and feel safe because it’s such a great day out, and feel they can be there without being attacked.”
Originally printed as ‘Australian fans are off him’: Clarke requires South Africa to sledge Warner over ‘sandpapergate’
