‘Can you show me in the rulebook that’s what I have to do?’ – Animated Warner remonstrates with umpires after being accused of advancing on danger area

David Warner was involved in an animated discussion with the on-field umpires after appearing to have ventured onto the danger area while batting during day four of the Lahore Test.

During the 21st over of Australia’s second innings, Warner was approached by Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza, who pointed at the surface and appeared to suggest that Warner had encroached the danger area while he was batting. Warner looked displeased with the observation, and was heard on the stump mic saying, “Can you show me the in the rulebook that’s what I have to do?”

According to clause 41.15 of the MCC laws under ‘unfair play’, relating to ‘Striker in protected area’, the striker shall not adopt a stance in the protected area or so close to it that frequent encroachment is inevitable.

If there’s a breach, the umpire is expected to reach out to the square leg umpire after the ball is dead. The bowler’s end umpire would then:

“Warn the striker that the practice is unfair and indicate that this is a first and final warning. This warning shall apply throughout the innings. The umpire shall so inform the non-striker and each incoming batter.

“Inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.”

Mike Haysman, on commentary, said: “Umpires want David Warner to get out of the pitch after he’s played his shot. Now he’s batting some distance out of his crease and Warner is saying that’s not something that’s supposed to happen. He was saying that ‘That’s not how it should be played and he wasn’t going to start again until he was shown the rulebook’ actually. That’s what he said at one stage. That’s the issue.”

After a brief pause in play, play eventually resumed, with no further issues between Warner and the umpires. He was later dismissed by Shaheen Afridi.

It isn’t the first time Warner has been on the wrong end of this law; during New Zealand’s tour to Australia in 2019/20, the hosts were docked five runs after umpire Dar called out Warner and Marnus Labuschagne for running on the protected area in the Sydney Test.

Players and umpires are currently having a lengthy debate over where David Warner is treading on the pitch when stepping forward after playing some shots. #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/KZ0wKgfAVb

— 🏏Flashscore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) March 24, 2022