Warner’s comments on Trott ‘disrespectful’, says Flower

England team director Andy Flower said David Warner got it “horribly wrong” when he publicly criticised England batsman Jonathan Trott, who yesterday left the Ashes tour with a stress-related illness.

Flower was at pains to point out that Warner, describing Trott as “pretty poor and weak” during the first Test at the Gabba, had not contributed to the illness which Trott has been struggling with for some time, but said the comments were “disrespectful” and demonstrated why it was important to show sensitivity when commenting on opponents.

Warner, speaking prior to the news of Trott’s departure, said his comments “probably went a little bit too far” but said they were just “good banter”.