Former Australia batter David Warner has been fined AUD 1,500 (around PKR 290,000) and ordered to have an interlock device fitted on his car after pleading guilty to drink-driving in Sydney in April.
The 39-year-old’s blood alcohol reading came in at more than twice the legal limit when he failed a random breath test while driving his family home from a social function.
The court heard Warner stopped his car after spotting a roadside testing site and attempted to switch seats with a female passenger on Easter Sunday.
Warner appeared before Waverley Local Court on Tuesday. He must now install the interlock device, which will stop his car from starting if it detects alcohol in his system.
“I accept Mr Warner is unlikely to reoffend,” judge Clare Farnan told the court. “But regrettably, drink-driving is still a significant factor in many crashes in New South Wales.”
The judge said that the offence was aggravated because children were in the car at the time.
Warner’s lawyer argued his client should be spared a conviction, telling the court that media coverage of the incident had already caused Warner additional punishment by affecting his commercial opportunities.
Warner retired from international cricket in 2024 and now works as a commentator for Fox Sports Australia. He covered Bangladesh’s historic Test victory over Australia in Darwin.
He also captains Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Big Bash League (BBL) team Sydney Thunder. The Thunder are part of a New South Wales state government campaign that aims to deter drink-driving.
Warner scored 6,932 runs in 159 one-day international innings for Australia, including 22 centuries. In 112 Test matches, he made 8,786 runs with 26 hundreds.
