Watch: David Warner Sledges 'Fidgety' Steve Smith, Australia Star Gets Out First Ball
As Steve Smith was taking his guard to face the first ball of the match, David Warner was seen sledging him to distract his Australia teammate.
Australia batter David Warner, fresh from his retirement from Test cricket, returned to action in the Big Bash League (BBL) on Friday for the Sydney Smash between Thunder and Sixers. Warner arrived at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in a helicopter, having played his last Test at the same venue earlier this month. Warner's Australia teammate Steve Smith was in the dugout for the Sixers, who had won the last four meeting between the two sides prior to Friday's game at the SCG. As the Sixers were asked to bat first by the Thunder, the former Australia captain had an interesting little exchange with each other.
As Smith was taking his guard to face the first ball of the match, Warner was seen sledging him to distract his Australia teammate.
"Nothing distracting him. Nothing ever distracts him. He's got a mark on his foot so he might be fidgety about that," Warner was heard as saying to Smith.
"Nah, that's not the centre, little bit to the right. Mate, if you open the batting, you've got to mark it properly. Nah, he's locked in," Warner added as Smith was taking his guard.
His comments drew laughter from the commentators. Thunder reaped the benefit of Warner's tactics as Smith was caught out first ball off Daniel Sams.
The interesting little exchange has gone viral on social media.
Cheeky bit of banter from Warner and Smith's GONE first ball! #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/VLiojjpeyN
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2024
Smith, however, had the last laught as the Sixers registered their fifth win on the trot against the Thunder.
Chasing 152 for victory, the retired Test opener hit 37 from 39 balls on a slow SCG wicket but had no support as the Thunder were all out for 132 in the final over.
While Warner was the retiring hero at the SCG last week, veteran Sixers spinner Steve O'Keefe took 3-13 in his last home regular-season match.
The defeat ended Thunder's slim finals hopes, and allowed the Sixers to confirm their spot in the BBL finals.
As things stand, Sixers are second in the table with 12 points, four behind unbeaten leaders Brisbane Heat.
Thunder, on the other hand, are second bottom with just one win in eight matches.
David Warner
Steven Smith