During the Christmas season, many families come together to watch the test cricket, making the Boxing Day Test more of a ritual than a mere event. While supporting the Australian test team, they do so in a fair-minded way, appreciating the skill of any player regardless of their team. However, one player, David Warner, seems to attract widespread condemnation from friends and family. Many express disdain for Warner and openly express their desire to see him fail.
This negative sentiment towards Warner can be attributed to various reasons, including his involvement in the sandpaper scandal in 2018. The scandal revealed the conspiratorial nature of the scheme and the players’ desperate desire to win. While Steve Smith displayed remorse for his role, Warner seemed to lack genuine remorse, further solidifying the dislike many have for him.
In contrast, other sporting figures have carefully managed their image under similar circumstances. Cricket, as a sport, has struggled with change and has strict cultural gatekeepers who decide what behavior is acceptable. While Warner has had a successful career with the bat, many Australians will never love him and may even celebrate his exit from the national stage.