Birmingham:
Legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne feels opener David Warner`s physical altercation with England batsman Joe Root could help "bring Australia together".
"In a funny sort of way, this could bring Australia together. I think it is a chance for them to gel together. They really have to take this opportunity to sit down and have a chat about what they want to achieve," Warne wrote in his column for `Daily Telegraph`.
"After this incident, England could be thinking to themselves Australia are there for the taking. They easily beat them on Saturday in the Champions Trophy and Australia are in disarray both on and off the field. England can now put their foot on the throat, but if Australia regroup then they might get a surprise," he added.
Warner was today suspended for remainder of the Champions Trophy as well as the two Ashes series warm-up games and slapped with a fine of 11,500 dollars (approx Rs 6.35 lakh) for being involved in an attack on Root in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident reportedly took place in a Birmingham bar and involved alcohol after Australia lost by 48 runs to England in their tournament-opener.
Warner, who appeared for a disciplinary hearing, pleaded guilty to breaching Rule 6: Unbecoming Behaviour. He will be eligible for selection for the first Ashes Test to be held in Nottimgham from July 10.
The punishment effectively means Warner will miss out on only one international match if Australia fail to qualify for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy.
Warne felt Warner, who played for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, had let himself and the team down.
"He knows he has let himself down but, more importantly, has to realise that he has let the team down. He has brought unwanted pressure and spotlight on the Australian cricket. I think he needs to be punished by a fine and should apologise to the rest of the team. He has to work out what is important to him. He needs to remember he should be thankful for the opportunity to play cricket for Australia," Warne wrote.
The 43-year-old said the opener should not be sent home for his bar brawl.
"What should be the consequences for David Warner? I do not believe he should be sent home. That does not solve anything. Australia need Warner in the right frame of mind and performing on the field," he said.
Warne said the Australians are missing their influential skipper Michael Clarke, who is undergoing treatment in London for a back injury.
"Not having Michael Clarke at the moment is hard for Australia. He is a strong captain and has great respect from the group. They are lucky he is so thoughtful about the team. He is speaking to the guys and thinking about the team 24/7 while having treatment at the moment. In his absence the coach, Mickey Arthur, needs to step up and show some strength as well," he said.
Warne said sometimes embarrassing a player and a fine are the most effective punishments.
"I remember Ravindra Jadeja being late for the team bus in the IPL. We wanted to make a statement so we stopped the bus and made him walk through the streets of Mumbai back to the hotel. He was not late again."
