Australian great Shane Warne has spoken in support of skipper Michael Clarke, after he was fined for his "broken arm" comment - aimed at James Anderson - on the fourth day of the first Ashes Test match in Brisbane, which Australia won by 381 runs.
Warne claimed that Anderson had indeed provoked Clarke first, by picking up on Ashes debutant Geroge Bailey.
Australian captain Clarke, usually known for his calmness both on and off the field, was caught on the stump microphone, telling England's James Anderson to expect a "broken arm", when he was set to face Mitchell Johnson on Sunday. Clarke was fined 20 percent of his match fee on Monday, after being found guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council's (ICC) code of conduct.
According to PTI, Shane Warne, who has access to all stump microphone recordings as a member of the Nine Network's commentary team, has defended Clarke, stating that the skipper reacted after Anderson threatened to punch debutant Bailey. He took to Twitter to express his concern over fining the Australian captain.
"I think it's a disgrace that @MClarke23 has been fined. What about what Jimmy Anderson said to Bailey, which wasn't heard," Warne tweeted on Monday. "Unfortunately only Clarke's reaction to Anderson's was heard live, we all heard Anderson's sledge that led to Clarke reacting!"
Channel Nine has apologised for broadcasting Clarke's comment, describing the Australian skipper as "an outstanding Australian cricket captain who's just led his team to a marvellous and historic win" and that the television channel's error cannot tarnish his reputation and contribution to Australian cricket.
The television channel was not supposed to keep the stump mike on during the break between deliveries.
Clarke had defended himself after the game, saying that it was just banter.
"Through my career, there has always been banter on the cricket field and I cop as much as I give, that's for sure. All the England players know we certainly respect them. I've heard a lot worse said on a cricket field than what the Australia players or the England players said throughout this Test match," he was quoted as saying by BBC.
The second game of the five-match Test series will be begin on 5 December at the Adelaide Oval.
