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Australian cricket great David Warner has lamented global media attention about his drink-driving offence, suggesting it cost him valuable overseas commercial opportunities.<\/p>\n
The 39-year-old was convicted and fined $1,500 on Tuesday for mid-range drink-driving after he tried to switch seats with a passenger when approaching a random breath-testing site on Easter Sunday.<\/p>\n
The star batter\u2019s barrister argued he should be spared conviction for the offence \u2013 when he blew more than twice the legal limit \u2013 because he had suffered extra punishment as a result of media coverage.<\/p>\n Awais Ahmad told Waverley Local Court his client\u2019s indiscretion had been covered in global outlets including ESPN, Al Jazeera and the Indian Express.<\/p>\n Countries including India and Bangladesh, where Warner might be seeking to play in T20 franchise leagues, have an acceptance of a \u201cnon-drinking culture\u201d, Mr Ahmad said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe consequences of his offending are profound,\u201d Mr Ahmad said. \u201cCommercial opportunities [are] being affected.\u201d<\/p>\n Warner was arrested while he was on an Easter trip home from the subcontinent, where he captained the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League.<\/p>\n When Warner saw the breath-testing site, he stopped short and attempted to swap seats with a female passenger, the agreed facts read out in court state.<\/p>\n Once police identified him as the driver, he cooperated with the testing, Judge Farnan noted.<\/p>\n Mr Ahmad questioned the decision of NSW Police to issue a press release about Warner\u2019s arrest given the unremarkable nature of the offence.<\/p>\n \u201cThe media onslaught thereafter has been quite profound,\u201d the lawyer said.<\/p>\n Judge Clare Farnan said there was evidence of cruel social media commentary directed at Warner and his wife Candice Warner.<\/p>\n His position as captain of the Sydney<\/a> Thunder in the domestic Big Bash League was also under threat, the cricketer\u2019s lawyer said.<\/p>\n
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