Common trend in England to use David Warner’s name to spike book sales, quips Tim Paine

11/18/2019

Australia’s Test skipper Tim Paine has said, in response to Ben Stokes’ assertations, that it’s very common among Englishmen to use David Warner’s name in order to raise book sales. Stokes had earlier revealed in his book that it was Warner’s chirps at the field that raged the fire in him.

England were chasing a target of 359 runs at Headingley and Australia had almost sealed the game and would’ve gone 2-0 up in the series had it not been for Stokes. The England all-rounder stepped up as the hosts lost their penultimate wicket fell with Stuart Broad getting dismissed at 286/9. Stokes then put up a spectacular unbeaten last-wicket stand of 76 with Jack Leach (1* off 17) to take England over the line.

Stokes' innings became the highlight of the Ashes 2019 and that knock of unbeaten 135 was held as the reason why Australia couldn’t win the series. In his book ‘On Fire: My Story of England's Summer to Remember’, Stokes revealed that it was Warner’s chirps that got the fire in him. However, captain Tim Paine did not take it well and said that Warner's name is been taken to spike their book sales.

"I was obviously standing next to David the whole time and you are allowed to talk on the cricket field. But by no means was he abusing him or sledging him. It just seems to be a common trend in England that they like to use Davey's name to spike book sales. So good luck to them," Paine was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

While the Ashes was drawn 2-2 between the two teams, 2017 Ashes champions Australia got to keep the urn.