Former Australia opener admits guilty of mid-range drink-driving, sentencing set for August.
Former Australia opener David Warner is to be sentenced next month for a drink-driving charge after he was caught with a mid-range offence in Sydney earlier this year.
Warner did not have to come to court, and his lawyer said he had taken responsibility for the crime.
Warner admits responsibility
The charge is for an incident in April, when Warner was pulled over by police for a roadside breath test in Sydney.
He was later tested at a police station and found to have a blood alcohol level over double the legal limit after the initial test.
His attorney said that Warner agrees that his actions were wrong and that he made a big mistake driving after drinking.
Lawyer says Warner regrets decision
Warner’s lawyers told the court that the former Australian batsman has admitted he made a bad decision when he opted to drive rather than other means of travel.
His lawyer says Warner has acknowledged his error and apologized for the incident, calling his actions “unnecessary and irresponsible.
The court has set August 18 for sentencing.
Captaincy under scrutiny
The incident has sparked doubts about Warner’s leadership of Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Cricket NSW has previously said drink-driving allegations are taken seriously, especially given the organisation’s road safety campaigns to discourage drink driving.
Authorities said any decision on Warner’s leadership position would be made once the legal proceedings are over.
Cricket NSW responds
After the charge, Cricket NSW recognised the gravity of the situation and restated its commitment to promoting responsible driving.
The group stressed that driving while intoxicated is not in line with its community values and public awareness campaigns.
But no immediate action has been announced for disciplinary action, as legal proceedings continue.
Awaiting court verdict
Warner’s admission now brings the spotlight to the sentencing hearing, which will be held to decide on the penalty.
The case is a setback for one of Australia’s most popular cricketers off the field and may have ramifications for his role as a leader in domestic cricket.
Both Warner and Sydney Thunder are likely to wait for the court’s verdict before taking any further steps in his future with the franchise, with sentencing scheduled for August.
