Cricket: Commentator makes bizarre call after David Warner's dismissal

David Warner of Australia leaves the field after being dismissed by Colin de Grandhomme. Photo / Getty Images

Former New Zealand Test keeper Ian Smith has hit out at one of his pet hates in cricket after seeing David Warner stand awkwardly near the boundary for an extended period of time waiting to be given the official word that he was out in last night's Chappell-Hadlee ODI in Canberra.

The Aussie opener blasted his way to 119 runs before he was dismissed by a brilliant low catch from Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson.

Warner walked off to the fence, before having to wait on the boundary rope as umpires double-checked the delivery had been legal and Williamson had been able to get his mitts under the ball in time.

Smith, now a commentator for Sky TV and part of the Channel Nine commentary team for this series, said the constant reviewing from umpires detracted from the spectacle.
"Kane Williamson has taken a screamer down low," Smith told Channel 9.

"It took something brilliant to end something even more brilliant. Warner at his very best today. We've all seen it. He stands and salutes eventually when he gets the message to go. He's just waiting. Waiting. I hate this about the game.

"Everyone misses the moment. This is some catch. Absolutely brilliant. It was a brilliant catch and we just miss the moment from time to time and he (Warner) doesn't deserve to miss his. Brilliant, David Warner. Absolutely outstanding."

Meanwhile, another former international wicketkeeper also went off the deep end during a bizarre moment of New Zealand's innings in the field in Canberra.

Commentating for Channel 9 as Mitchell March and Travis Head propelled the Kookaburra to every corner of the Manuka Oval grandstands, Ian Healy spoke up apparently concerned for the safety of the New Zealand bowlers running towards the Aussie batsman.

After watching Marsh drive over the heads of the Black Caps bowling attack Healy came out with a prediction that bowlers will have to wear helmets to protect themselves in coming years.

The idea briefly escalated the standard level of ridicule the Aussie keeper attracts for his unique spin on the game of cricket.

When Mark Nicholas cut Healy off in the middle of his gibberish rampage to suggest that perhaps giving umpires helmets to wear was a more sensible place to start Heals' Helmet campaign, the cheeky former gloveman stuck to his guns and insisted bowlers should be wearing headwear protection.

how many times have you seen a bowler get hit in the head. Ian Healy is an idiot

— Jackmerius Tacktheritrix (@Sepoy20) December 6, 2016

Bowlers wearing helmets? Worst call ever Ian Healy. Terrible call. #9WWOS

— nik.oconnell (@nik_oconnell) December 6, 2016

''Bowlers will eventually wear helmets.''
We have officially reached peak Ian Healy gibberish #AusvNZ

— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) December 6, 2016

In a lighter incident last night, Warner made no apologies for giggling when his skipper was squirming on the ground in the worst kind of pain.

Steve Smith has wore one right on the crown jewels in a painful moment during his innings that forced a premature drinks break.

Early in the 40th over the Aussie captain was struck right on the box by Colin de Grandhomme with a ball that darted back into Smith's body and thumped him on the middle stump.

Angrily wincing, Smith flung his bat away in pain and then fell to the deck to lie on his back and breath in some deep breaths.

Smith eventually recovered, but his decision to try and get outside the line of de Grandhomme will be one he will forever regret.

Warner said he has his reasons for enjoying Smith's discomfort.

"I laughed because he laughed at me when I got hit in Adelaide (in the nets) so I was getting it back," he said.

"You don't really say anything. Your first thought is do you want to check your box? And it's always our first reaction not to because you just don't want it to be squeezed on that testicle."

Ouch! Smith is in some pain after that one and that will be drinks... #AUSvNZ https://t.co/nn55JJwiiX

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2016

AUS 1/192 "That really hurt Steve Smith."- @Mj_Slats. #AUSvNZ #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/8QM2KKQlLn

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) December 6, 2016

That's probably the only way to get rid of Steve Smith at the moment #AusvNZ

— Steve Zemek (@stevezemek) December 6, 2016

A replay of that last ball #ausvnz pic.twitter.com/3Cxl4FtxUw

— Matt (@Mattys123) December 6, 2016