Heated exchanges a friendly banter: David Warner

Controversial Australian batsman David Warner said Sunday that heated on-field exchanges with a South African rival in Pretoria were ‘friendly banter’. An umpire had to halt play twice Saturday as sledging between Warner and Thami Tsolekile in a drawn four-day ‘A’ international reached boiling point.

Warner sledged wicketkeeper Tsolekile while the South African was batting Friday and the war of words resurfaced 24 hours later when the Australian was at the LC de Villiers Oval crease.
‘Great to be back playing cricket, had lots of fun this week and a bit of friendly banter from the wicketkeeper. Was very funny!’ Warner tweeted.

Cricket Australia declined to intervene, saying in a statement that ‘no report has been filed by the umpires and no action will, therefore, be taken’.  ‘He needs match practice and runs in the longer format and the Australia A games will provide him with the best possible opportunity,’ said Ashes selector John Inverarity.