Few sporting rivalries are fiercer than the historic Ashes series between England and Australia, but according to Woman’s Day’s sporting snoop, the rivalry between Aussie captain Pat Cummins and teammate David Warner and their wives is alive and well too.
“There’s no love lost between Pat and Dave, they go through the polite motions to keep peace in the team but it’s no secret they have little in common,” an insider tells of Pat, 30, and Dave, 36, who are in the UK for the Tests.
It is speculated that there is tension between the two cricket stars.
(Image: Getty)The bad blood between the men dates back to the infamous Sandpapergate, the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, which led to David receiving a 12-month ban from Cricket Australia.
“Dave still feels that Pat and the other bowlers didn’t give him enough support. He thinks Pat is the educated golden boy, while he comes from the tougher end of town and their wives Candice and Becky don’t speak either, which makes things all the more awkward.”
According to the source, as just one of the many fringe benefits of being captain, Pat gets to enjoy the largest suite at the team’s fancy hotels, while the rest of the boys and their families are treated to their own chauffeur drivers and all have access to a fleet of nannies organised by Cricket Australia.
The pair recently took part in the Ashes.
(Image: Getty)The chances of reconciliation look slim. “As captain, Pat will have a say in whether Dave is dropped from the second Test – the captain’s opinion is always considered and the selectors will particularly want him to be involved. He and a number of players want in-form Travis Head in as opener and Dave to get his marching orders!
“Dave is good mates with Usman [Khawaja] but because he’s not afraid to speak his mind a lot of the boys keep their distance – they also know he’s lost the passion for the Test game and don’t want the team dragged down.”
Fans hope the two sporting stars will be able to reconcile.
(Image: Getty)Should Dave be dropped after the second Test, many cricket pundits believe he may retire from his Test cricket career on the hallowed Lord’s turf and make his way to the US a week later for its first T20 tournament.
“If Dave does retire, no one will be surprised if he becomes the poster boy for the T20 American league – he stands to make millions from the gig.” But it won’t be the last Pat hears from David.
“When Candice signed with Harper Collins to write her tell-all biography Running Strong, it was a two-part deal with David also due to publish a memoir.
“It won’t be long before he’ll bring out his own warts-and-all book and you can bet he’ll have a few things to say about Pat and the rest of the team!”
