David Warner: Altercation with Joe Root a learning curve for myself
Australian vice-captain David Warner has stated that his altercation with Joe Root during the 2013 Champions Trophy tournament helped him mature as a person and a cricketer. The 30-year old had reportedly punched Root in a Birmingham bar after Australia lost to England in the 2013 edition.
"It was a learning curve for
"I was young and now I'm old," the 30-year-old left-hander added. "I've two kids and I'm married. There's a lot of settling down there. It definitely was (key) to me becoming the person I am today, not just the cricketer. We all go through periods when we're young and naive. It's not about stuffing up and moving on, it's about learning the ropes of being away on tour for such a long period of time. There are things you have to think about as a youngster: what you can or can't I do." Warner further added.
When questioned on the changes that the incident had brought in his life, Warner replied,"I probably didn't work that out at that stage. But now I have and I have a great balance on and off the field."
Australia is all set to take on England once again at Edgbaston after their 2013 Champions Trophy defeat tomorrow in a do-or-die encounter. The Australian will once again face Joe Root in the virtual quarterfinals for the Aussies while the English team has already secured a semi-final berth.
On meeting Root once again in the Champions Trophy tie, Warner stated, "If I see him I'll give him a handshake."
Warner had punched Joe Root when he was seen messing with a wig in a Walkout bar in Birmingham. Warner justified his move stating that he found the gesture insulting towards the Muslim community. However, Root and the English team denied any such inferences and suggested the Yorkshireman was actually making fun of himself and his inability to grow facial hair.
"People didn't look too far or deep into it to see who was in the right or wrong," Warner said.
"But that's all gone, it's in the past and we can tell a happily ever after story at the end of my career," Warner added.
The 30-year old Aussie was known by the nickname Bull in the past which has changed to Rev for Reverand with the course of time. However, Warner admitted that the Bull still remains within him.
"It just
"Most of the time, I'm probably the Reverend -- as they say -- but it's about winning games for Australia and being the best person I can around the team and around people outside cricket."
On being asked about visiting the Walkout Bar in Birmingham once again, where the infamous incident took place, Warner replied,"If they give me a couple of free drinks, some diet cokes, and the rest of the boys, they can shout them a table."
