Warner involved in sledging controversy

David Warner scored his second century of the NSW Premier Cricket season on Saturday, but his knock has been overshadowed by a sledging incident that saw him walk off the field in protest.

Warner made 157 for Randwick-Petersham against Western Suburbs at Pratten Park, but on 35 the left-hander departed the field after taking issue with a sledge directed his way.

After spending a few moments off the ground, Warner walked back out to the middle to continue his innings.

Western Suburbs were apparently happy for Warner to continue batting despite him leaving the playing arena. The next batsman in had not walked over the boundary and the game continued.

It is understood Western Suburbs player Jason Hughes - the brother of Warner’s former teammate Phillip, who passed away in 2014 - was the player who levelled the sledge at Warner.

Cricket.com.au understands that what started as goading from Hughes – daring Warner to take on the bowling and risk being dismissed – turned personal.

Once the banter turned nasty, Warner decided enough was enough and opted to remove himself from proceedings.

Warner and players from both teams declined to make any comment.

Warner is currently serving a 12-month ban handed down by Cricket Australia for bringing the game into disrepute and damaging the spirit of the game.

The opener, who turned 32 today, is regarded as one of the fiercest on-field competitors in the game and has come under scrutiny from officials several times during his international career.

While there are several unknowns around the events in Sydney's west on Saturday, what is known is that Warner remains in sublime touch and once again produced another big score.

His six-hour innings lasted 257 balls and featured 12 fours and three sixes. His third maximum was from the penultimate ball of his stay before he was caught at short third-man attempting an audacious switch hit from the spin of Jonathan Cook.

Several Western Suburbs players congratulated Warner as he exited the field.

Warner left the field to applause from his teammates, and as he crossed the boundary line tossed a pair of his batting gloves to a delighted young fan.

In his first match of the Premier Cricket season, Warner made a match-winning 155no against Josh Hazlewood's St George in Coogee.

He is set to face fellow suspended teammate Steve Smith at Coogee Oval on November 10.