David Warner regrets making controversial comments on Ashes

David Warner admitted that he went too far with his usage of aggressive language for team England in the lead-up to the Ashes, for which he faced a lot of criticism from the fans and former cricketers alike. But, he insists that players need to have "some inward anger" on the field. Post the condemnation, Warner acknowledged his fault with the usage of words and regretted making the comment.  

"I probably regret some of the words I used during the week, but at the end of the day, you've got to try and have some inward anger. You've got to create a bit of that buzz out there," Warner said on Channel Nine's Sports Sunday. 

However, he pointed to Mitchell Johnson's terrifying bowling and considers Michael Clarke's infamous "broken f------ arm" sledge to English tailender Jimmy Anderson, which was caught by stump mic, in the Gabba Ashes Test four years ago, as the kind of "aggressive" behavior that Australia should seek to replicate this summer. 

The storm began last weekend, when Warner made a controversial comment on the ABC, labelling playing cricket as "war" and also stated "hatred" for the Old Enemy, which sparked the war of words before the series.

“The history, the pride that is at stake. As soon as you step on that line it’s war. You try and get into a battle as quick as you can. I try and look in the opposition’s eye and work out how can I dislike this player, how can I get on top of him,” Warner said. 

“You’ve got to find that spark in yourself to really take it to the opposition. You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to get some sort of hatred about them,” he added.

Warner’s comments were condemned by many, including former English opener Marcus Trescothick, who called these statements pathetic.  

“To come out with those sort of comments is not needed. There’s always the hype that comes around before the Ashes, so I don’t think it’s something the players will be drawn into,” Trescothick told the BBC.

“I think it will just be a good distraction, hopefully, for Australia and they can get caught up in the war of words. I think it’s pathetic,” he added.

Even former England cricketers Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan slammed Warner for making such a statement.