CA warns Warner, Geeves after Twitter feud

Melbourne, Feb 2 (PTI) A Twitter feud betweenhard-hitting batsman David Warner and fast bowler BrettGeeves, which raked up an old racial vilification claim, hasinfuriated Cricket Australia which has threatened the duo witha charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

The row erupted during Tuesday night''s Big Bashpreliminary final between NSW and Tasmania when Warner blastedBen Hilfenhaus for six and celebrated by shouting ''that''smassive'' as the ball sailed out of the Bellerive Oval inHobart.

NSW won by nine wickets with Warner hitting an unbeaten70 from 49 balls that included eight fours and three sixes.

Writing on Twitter, Geeves accused Warner''s act as "anexample of humility gone wrong", to which the batsmanresponded by reminding the Tasmanian he was "lucky one playerrefused to follow up on your racial vilification slur u madeon the field".

The two then traded insults, with Warner labelling Geevesa ''cock''.

Cricket Australia has reprimanded the pair and warnedthem that any further outbursts will not be tolerated, ''TheAustralian'' reported.

CA spokesman Peter Young said the racial vilificationslur was made several years ago, and "has long since beenresolved appropriately".

He described the exchange as "inappropriate" and claimedboth players expressed contrition when spoken to by CA managerof cricket operations Michael Brown.

"He (Brown) has also let them know with some vigour thatif they ever go into this space again he''ll have no hesitationin laying a charge of bringing the game into disrepute," Youngsaid.

"They''ve expressed contrition, they''ve apologised to eachother, they''ve also apologised on Twitter as well," he said.

Young defended the wider use of Twitter amonginternational and state players, including acting Australiacaptain Michael Clarke who was criticised during the AdelaideTest for hiding behind Twitter.

After being caught off the occasional spin of KevinPietersen for 80 in the second innings of the second Test,which Australia lost badly, Clarke apologised on the socialnetworking site for not walking when he was clearly out.

Clarke, however, had refused to speak publicly about thematter.

"We believe that social media is a really valuable wayfor cricketers to engage with their fans," Young said.