![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/warner-stirs-it-up-with-sledge-before-england-vs-australia-womens-world-cup-tie/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ah-OFF-PLATFORM-warner-sledging.jpg&description=EYE ON THE BALL Published : 17:16, 15 Aug 2023 Updated : 17:23, 15 Aug 2023 ENGLAND'S arch-enemy David Warner has launched a sledging war ahead of Wednesday's football World Cup semi-final between the Lionesses and Australia. The long-time Ashes "villain" warned The Matildas to "keep an eye out in case the Poms ask to change the ball". 3 Beth England, Jessica Carter and Co are preparing for the Lionesses' football World Cup football semi-final against Australia in Sydney Credit: Reuters 3 David Warner had a dig at the Fifth Test ball-change row as he egged The Matildas on for their biggest match ever Credit: Getty 3 Chris Woakes celebrates dismissing Usman Khawaja amid controversy at The Oval Credit: Reuters That's a reference to Ben Stokes ' men rescuing a 2-2 Ashes draw after a controversial umpires' decision helped them win the Fifth Test . The Aussies were furious when an ageing ball - knocked out of shape when it hit Usman Khawaja's helmet - was replaced by a hard, new-ish one. The tourists plunged from 140-0 to 175-3 and were all out for 334, handing England a 49-run victory at The Oval. That denied the Aussies a first Ashes win away from home since 2001. Now Warner has showed Australia are still smarting and keen for their women's football team to extract revenge with a jibe on social media. He posted: "An early good luck to the @TheMatildas. Just keep an eye out in case the Poms ask to change the ball" followed by crying-with-laughter emojis. "Well played mate!" replied one fan, but that brought the response: "The best he's played all year" - as Warner averaged just 28.5 in the Ashes. One barmy Army backer joked: "Q. What's the difference between Cinderella and David Warner? A. Cinderella knew when to leave the ball." Another said: "Ok, good banter but the reality is the Poms had nothing to do with the ball change." But the teasing didn't stop as a fan told Warner: "Dunno know why you're bothered, you're never around long enough to see the ball get old!" The){kind=link}
ENGLAND’S arch-enemy David Warner has launched a sledging war ahead of Wednesday’s football World Cup semi-final between the Lionesses and Australia.
The long-time Ashes “villain” warned The Matildas to “keep an eye out in case the Poms ask to change the ball”.
That’s a reference to Ben Stokes’ men rescuing a 2-2 Ashes draw after a controversial umpires’ decision helped them win the Fifth Test.
The Aussies were furious when an ageing ball – knocked out of shape when it hit Usman Khawaja’s helmet – was replaced by a hard, new-ish one.
The tourists plunged from 140-0 to 175-3 and were all out for 334, handing England a 49-run victory at The Oval.