Former Australia opener David Warner found himself in a playful social media exchange with England’s famous fan group, the Barmy Army, on Friday, and the banter quickly moved from Saim Ayub‘s ducks to Marnus Labuschagne‘s century drought, England’s curfew troubles and Warner’s long-running Stuart Broad problem.It all started when the Barmy Army took a dig at Warner after Pakistan batter Saim Ayub registered a pair of ducks in the final Test against England at Edgbaston. The England fan group posted a statistic pointing out that Ayub had now registered a pair twice on English soil.
Warner’s ’42 innings’ jab explained
Replying to the Barmy Army, Warner wrote: “Interesting stat. When was the last time I went 42 innings without a Test hundred??”The reference was not actually about Warner. The 42 innings was a cheeky dig at former Australia teammate Marnus Labuschagne, who had gone through a lengthy drought without a Test century. Labuschagne’s last Test hundred came against England at Headingley in 2023, and his drought had stretched to 42 innings.But he wasn’t finished. Then came the curfew dig.Warner followed his 42-innings reference with another jab: “Oh do you guys still have a curfew? Asking for a mate.”That was a reference to England’s recent off-field disciplinary issues involving players breaking team curfew and going out drinking. The issue had become a talking point around the England setup, with fast bowler Brydon Carse among the players caught up in the recent controversy.
Barmy Army brings up Stuart Broad
The Barmy Army quickly hit back, this time going after one of Warner’s most famous Test weaknesses.“Good to see you’re still nibbling outside off, Dave. Some habits die hard.”The reference was unmistakable: Stuart Broad.Warner was dismissed by Broad 17 times in Test cricket, making the England seamer one of his most persistent nemeses. The rivalry became particularly famous during the Ashes, with Broad repeatedly finding Warner’s outside edge. The Barmy Army essentially told the retired opener that even after all these years, he still couldn’t escape the Broad jokes.
Warner gets the final word
Warner eventually appeared to call time on the exchange, replying: “Been retired a few years now! Eyes have gone, think you need a new target…”He then added another playful jab, suggesting the Barmy Army might need more followers and joking that he could buy them a few. Warner retired from international cricket in 2024, finishing with 8,786 Test runs from 112 matches, including 26 centuries.
