Former Australia batsman David Warner has been fined A$1,500 (£787) and ordered to have an interlock device on his car for 12 months after being convicted for drink driving.
Warner was pulled over on the outskirts of Sydney on Easter Sunday when driving from a friend’s apartment, where he recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.104 – more than twice the legal limit – at a random breath testing site.
The Sydney Thunder captain pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving last month ahead of sentencing, after admitting to having three glasses of white wine before driving home.
Waverley Local Court heard on Tuesday how Warner stopped his car when he saw the roadside breath-testing site, then attempted to swap seats with a female passenger.
“I accept Mr Warner is unlikely to re-offend,” Judge Clare Farnan told the court, in comments published by Australian media. “(But) regrettably, drink-driving is still a significant factor in many crashes in New South Wales.”
As well as being fined, Warner will also need to fit an interlock device in his car which will prevent it from starting if it detects alcohol in his system.
Warner played 112 Tests and over 250 limited-overs internationals for Australia before retiring from international cricket in 2024, with the 39-year-old leaving the court without commenting to a large media pack.
Warner has been charged with drink driving in Sydney
He works for Fox Sports Australia as a commentator and continues to play on the franchise circuit, currently captaining Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League and Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash.
Before Farnan’s decision, Warner’s lawyer told the court his client should be spared conviction because he had suffered extra punishment as a result of media coverage.
“Commercial opportunities (are) being affected,” Australian media quoted Mr Awais Ahmad as saying.
Sydney Thunder are part of a New South Wales state government campaign to deter drink-driving, with Cricket New South Wales (NSW) yet to comment on Warner’s long-term position as Thunder captain.
“Our organisation is a strong advocate of safe driving, including avoiding drink driving,” Cricket NSW said in a statement. “We continue to take this incident seriously, including educating all players on the importance of safe driving.”
