Test cricket star pleads guilty to Easter drink-drive

David Warner’s Sydney Thunder captaincy could be in doubt after the star opener pleaded guilty to drink driving.

The high-profile cricketer was not required to appear at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday, but his lawyer Bobby Hill said the batsman pleaded guilty to a mid-range drink-driving charge on Easter Sunday.

“The parties are debating the facts,” Mr. Hill said.

Warner tested positive for alcohol after being stopped shortly after being tested roadside in Sydney’s east on April 5

When taken to Maroubra Police Station for a second test, the 39-year-old blew .104; this was more than twice the legal blood alcohol limit.

Mr Hill had previously hinted he would press charges when the issue was first raised in May.

“He knows what he did was wrong,” he said at the time.

“He admits it was a reckless decision, a stupid decision to get into his car instead of taking an Uber.”

Mr Hill said the Fox Cricket commentator had three glasses of wine at a friend’s house before making the decision.

“It is not a crime to drink a glass of wine on the day of the Lord’s resurrection. In fact, some may find it entirely appropriate,” he told reporters.

“His crime, as I said, is foolishly choosing plan A instead of plan B.”

Mr Hill said Warner had his last drink 11 minutes before he was stopped by police.

The lawyer said the cricket star was remorseful and would ask for leniency, but he expected to be punished like other citizens.

Warner’s sentence was postponed until August 18.

Warner’s guilty plea raised questions about his status as the Thunder’s captain, who was contacted for comment after the plea was entered.

“The allegations are, of course, concerning and we take them very seriously,” Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon said after his arrest.

“At Cricket NSW we strongly advocate safe driving, not drink driving.”

The Thunder, along with the Sydney Sixers and NSW Blues, are part of the state government’s campaign to deter drink driving.

Warner was arrested on his way home during the Easter break from the subcontinent, where he was captaining the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League.

Warner, no stranger to the headlines, was one of three Australian players suspended following the ball-tampering scandal that shook the cricket world in South Africa in 2018.

A Cricket Australia investigation revealed that Warner, then vice-captain, hatched a plan to alter the condition of the match ball with sandpaper and assigned rookie batsman Cameron Bancroft to carry it out.

Warner was banned from international and domestic cricket for 12 months and was deemed permanently unfit for team leadership positions.

Warner was also involved in a high-profile incident in Birmingham in 2013 where he punched future England captain Joe Root.