Ian Chappell holds coach and skipper responsible for encouraging Warner’s behavior
Mar 7, 2018 at 4:35 PM
Channel Nine broadcaster and analyst, Ian Chappell condemned Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann for empathically defending David Warner’s response in the stairwell gate.
Chappell accused Warner’s superiors of encouraging such behaviour and hold them equally responsible for the entire fiasco. As a result, Chappell demands suspension of coach and captain of the Australian cricket team for sanctioning his action.
“A suspension would be appropriate because you need to stamp it out from the top down. But Warner gets the suspension, and while he’s responsible for his actions and words, he’s being allowed to do it by people above him,” suggested Ian Chappell while talking to Channel Nine.
During the post-match conference, both Lehmann and Smith stood by the actions of Warner claiming that the southpaw’s actions came in the aftermath of personal jibes from Quinton de Kock.
“I’d like to see those above him suspended for sanctioning it. If you start taking strong action like that then you’ll get some sanity. It’s always the same – the players pay the penalty for the stupidity of those above. Warner is being encouraged to be the attack dog,” lashed out Chappell.
Graeme Smith lashed out at Adam Gilchrist who claimed that Warner’s reaction was spurred due to personal jibes. This came after the end of the infamous Durban Test match.
Graeme Smith, who played against Warner, replied that Warner crossed the personal lines many a time in his career. Therefore, he should be open to receive some dose of his own medicine.
Chappell tags Warner as Smith’s attack dog
“The laws of the game state the captain is responsible for the on-field actions of his players, so if Steve Smith is not stepping in he’s just as culpable,” added Chappell.
Darren Lehmann shrugged the issue under the carpet by saying that it is all part and parcel of the game. According to Lehmann, the conduct of the Aussies comes under their hard style of play.
“I’ve been saying for 15 years that there’ll be fisticuffs at some point. It must have come close in that stairwell. It’s pretty obvious to me that the more you allow being said on the field. Higher are the chance that something personal will be said, and if it gets personal, you’ve got a situation on your hands,” ended Ian Chappell.