Normal service resumes, sparks fly

Adelaide, December 12

The death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes may have cast a pall of gloom and taken a little sting out of the first Test between India and Australia, but on the fourth day some aggression was finally on show following a verbal spat between David Warner and Indian pacer Varun Aaron.

The left-handed opener was batting on 66 in the afternoon session when his wild swipe had Aaron’s delivery shattering his stumps. The dismissal triggered wild celebrations from the Indian pacer who was quick to voice, “C’mon, C’mon” a few times.

Warner was well on his way back to the pavilion when he was called back by the umpires after the television replays showed the quickie had overstepped by a long way. As Warner came back to take guard, he had something to say to Aaron and mocked him by repeating “C’mon” in a funny tone. Shikhar Dhawan, fielding at mid-on, intervened and asked Warner to mind his own end. Aaron and all-rounder Shane Watson at the non-striker’s end also got involved.

Eventually, Indian skipper Virat Kohli along with the on-field umpires had to step in and calm down tempers as he spoke to Warner who was seen paying attention to his words. — PTI