David Warner taken into custody after drink driving charge in Sydney

Former Australia opener David Warner has been charged with drink driving after a roadside breath test in Sydney’s Maroubra returned a reading above the legal limit.

The incident took place on Sunday evening during a routine random breath-testing operation on Malabar Road. According to police, officers noticed a vehicle stop short of the testing point before parking nearby, after which the driver was approached for testing.

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“About 5:30 pm today, police were conducting stationary random breath testing on Malabar Road, Maroubra. A van was seen to allegedly stop short of the testing site and park,” the police statement said.

“Officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command approached the vehicle and subjected the driver to roadside testing, which returned a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station, where a second test allegedly returned a reading of 0.104,” it added.

Warner, 39, was subsequently issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for mid-range PCA (prescribed concentration of alcohol) and is scheduled to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on May 7, 2026.

The former Australia batter is reported to have been taken into custody briefly before being released pending court proceedings.

The development comes during a busy phase of Warner’s franchise career. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2024, he continues to feature in global T20 leagues, currently captaining Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 and playing in domestic competitions, including the Big Bash League.

Warner recently enjoyed a strong BBL season with Sydney Thunder, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 433 runs in eight matches, underlining his continued impact in the shortest format.

His PSL side Karachi Kings are also in strong form this season, sitting near the top of the table with three consecutive wins. They are next scheduled to face Peshawar Zalmi on April 9 at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The case now adds an off-field setback for the veteran cricketer as he continues his franchise commitments across multiple leagues.