David Warner’s future as Sydney Thunder captain is in doubt as the former Test cricketer prepares to face court over a drink-driving charge.
One of Australia’s most decorated batters, Warner was charged in Sydney’s east after allegedly producing a blood alcohol reading of 0.104 – more than twice the legal limit – on Easter Sunday.
The 39-year-old, who retired from Test cricket in 2024, was taken to Maroubra Police Station for further testing and will face Downing Centre Local Court on May 7.
Warner’s status as captain looms over Cricket NSW, who have maintained a 23-year partnership with Transport for NSW, most recently uniting over the Towards Zero road safety campaign.
‘I can’t say too much (about Warner’s alleged drink-driving incident) because of the legal side of it,’ Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon said on Wednesday.
‘The allegations, of course, are concerning and we take them very seriously.
‘At Cricket NSW, we are strong advocates for safe driving, not drink-driving.
‘We educate our players a lot in that area and we will support David through this process, knowing there’s a court case coming up, but also look to educate our players even more on this really important matter.’
Sydney Thunder play Brisbane Heat in an annual contest named the Road Safety Cup, considered one of NSW’s most recognisable and effective road safety platforms.
Germon said the Thunder captaincy was yet to be ‘worked through and remains to be seen’.
Warner was named Thunder captain less than two weeks after the leadership ban, imposed for his role in Australia’s ball-tampering scandal in the 2018 Test series in South Africa, was lifted.
‘Bear in mind, at the moment they are allegations, and the Sydney Thunder captaincy will be worked through in due course,’ Germon said.
But he said Cricket NSW was ‘very prepared’ to show leadership on the matter with Transport for NSW.
‘We’re working really closely. Transport (for NSW) have been a long-term sponsor,’ Germon said.
‘A really important partner of ours, so we’re talking with them about this, knowing that they’ll be looking to us to take leadership in this particular issue and matter.
‘And we are very prepared to do so. It’s an important partnership for us and one that we want to keep going.’
Warner has been captaining the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League and was dismissed for a golden duck in his return in last Friday’s loss to Peshawar Zalmi.
His stint in the PSL comes off the back of a record-breaking BBL campaign, in which he averaged 86.6 for the Sydney Thunder and was named captain of the official team of the tournament.
