David Warner Punches Joe Root in Bar — Ashes Prelude 2013

The 2013 ICC Champions Trophy was staged in England during June 2013. It was a high-quality eight-team tournament that preceded the Ashes series by just a few weeks, making the two squads' interactions particularly charged. England had beaten Australia in two consecutive Ashes series and were the dominant Test side in the world.

David Warner was a brash, confrontational young talent who wore his aggression on his sleeve. He had already developed a reputation for on-field fire — earlier in 2013 he had sledged South Africa's Quinton de Kock in a way that required disciplinary action. Warner's talent was unquestioned but his temperament was a constant management challenge for Cricket Australia.

Joe Root was, at that point, an emerging England talent — polished, technically sound, and with the demeanour of a traditional English gentleman cricketer. The contrast between Root and Warner could not have been greater in personality, which made what happened at a Birmingham nightclub all the more dramatic.

Following Australia's group-stage defeat to England in the Champions Trophy, several Australian players went out to Birmingham's Walkabout bar for what turned into a long evening. England players were also out in Birmingham, and the two groups intersected.

Joe Root had joined a fancy dress evening and was wearing a Sikh turban — part of the night's theme. Warner, who had been drinking, encountered Root. According to witnesses and CCTV footage that was subsequently obtained by investigators, Warner punched Root with a left-handed blow to the jaw.

Root did not sustain serious injury. Warner's team-mates intervened and the situation was diffused. But CCTV footage of the incident was reviewed by Cricket Australia and the ICC, and the consequences were swift.

During the 2013 Champions Trophy in England, David Warner punched Joe Root in a Birmingham bar called Walkabout in the early hours of the morning. The incident occurred after Australia's loss to England.

Warner reportedly took exception to Root wearing a green-and-gold wig, seeing it as a provocation. He struck Root with a punch that was captured on CCTV. Cricket Australia suspended Warner from the remaining Champions Trophy matches and the two warm-up games before the Ashes.

The incident set the tone for what became a feisty 2013 Ashes series. Warner was cast as the villain, though he would go on to have a productive series. The altercation was seen as a reflection of the intense rivalry between the two teams.

While not an umpiring controversy per se, the aftermath affected selection decisions and team dynamics. Warner's suspension meant he missed cricket and had to prove his fitness and form before being selected for the Ashes proper.

“I want to sincerely apologise to Joe Root for my actions last night. It was completely unacceptable and I deeply regret what happened.”

“David has apologised and I've accepted it. These things happen. I just want to focus on the cricket now.”

“Warner's behaviour is a constant concern. He is a tremendous talent but someone needs to manage his off-field conduct.”

“This is not the kind of behaviour that is acceptable at any level of cricket, let alone the highest level.”

Cricket Australia acted swiftly. Warner was suspended for the remainder of the Champions Trophy — Australia were eliminated regardless — and was banned from the two warm-up matches prior to the Ashes series. He was fined a portion of his match fees and subjected to an integrity review.

Warner issued a public apology: "I want to sincerely apologise to Joe Root for my actions last night. It was completely unacceptable and I deeply regret what happened." Root accepted the apology graciously, telling reporters he had moved on and bore no grudge.

The incident set the backdrop for the 2013 Ashes in fascinating fashion. Warner, chastened and with something to prove, was selected for the series and performed creditably. The two players went on to have a long, combative international rivalry — but largely kept it within the white lines.