15 January 2023 , 12:22
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Australia teammates David Warner and Matthew Wade were involved in an on-field bust-up during the Big Bash clash between the Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes - drawing ire from the commentary box.
The Hurricanes breezed to victory as they chased down a modest 136-run target with 23 balls to spare and five wickets in hand to leapfrog the Thunder in the BBL standings.
Tim David was the start of the show with the bat as his unbeaten 76 from 41 balls, including six towering sixes, steered Hobart home after Nathan Ellis had earlier collected career-best T20 figures of 4-27 including a hat-trick.
Midway through the Hurricanes chase, former Aussie international wicketkeeper Wade and Thunder star Chris Green shared some stern words.
As the players returned to the middle, Warner, who has never shied away from controversy over the course of his storied career, got himself involved by shoving Wade with his forearm.
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Wade was clearly unimpressed, and the altercation was picked up on by ex-Australia all-rounder Kerry O'Keefe on commentary.
He said: "That was inappropriate. I don't know what went on between that pair. Their history goes back a long way as buddies. It's unsavoury. You can't have contact like that.
"Whether they were half joking, I don't know. Their body language suggested not. There was an issue out there."
Skippers Green and Wade were quizzed on the episode after the game, with both men keen to play down the confrontation.
Both captains insisted after the game there was no lingering bitterness (@7Cricket/Twitter)"There was nothing untoward about it," insisted Green. "We're both passionate and competitive on the field and trying to gain a win for our teams. There was nothing personal said. We were both playing with a lot of emotion, trying to lead our respective teams.
"We had a chat after the game. We move forward. If we end up playing (again) I'm sure we'll be as competitive as ever. If it happens again, great. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I walk away with no ill feeling."
Wade added: "I couldn't hit him, that was more my main frustration."
Match-winner David, who was batting at the time of the incident, explained Green was teasing Wade over a potential run-out.
"Wadey bit back. It wasn't a great deal more than that," he said.