Ashes 2013: David Warner's brother launches foul-mouthed attack on Shane Watson and the Australian selectors

Exiled batsman's failings in Zimbabwe seem enough to merit a return to the Test side according to his brother in Twitter tirade

David Warner was fined A$11,500 for the Walkabout altercation (Getty)

As Australia look certain to be heading for a comprehensive defeat at Lords, it seems their failures with the bat have finally been enough for some of their fans.

With exiled batsman David Warner playing for Australian’s A team in Zimbabwe after he was left out of the Test side for punching England’s Joe Root, some have called for his return to provide some sort of resistance in a batting order that is being dismantled by England’s bowling attack.

But Warner failed to impress against a Zimbabwe Select XI in Harare, scoring just six and 11 runs in his two innings.

That’s enough for Warner’s return though, according to his brother Steven, who launched a bizarre rant on Twitter aimed at the Australian selectors, opener Shane Watson and the team’s inability to use their DRS reviews correctly.

On Friday, not long after Watson wasted another review after he was given out leg-before-wicket in his first innings, Warner wrote: “F****** selfish Watson sooner your [sic] out the side you great pretender the better.”

Not long after, once Australia had been bowled out for their lowest total at Lords since 1968 of just 128, Warner posted: “Ok @CricketAus I hope u have a business class seat booked from SA to London because its about time u had a batsmen there who will have a go.”

But as if that wasn’t enough, Warner – the elder of the brothers and who once had a promising cricketing career himself – had his say on the debate over former coach Mickey Arthur’s dismissal after the South African had disclosed details if internal rifts with the Australian team having been sacked 16 days before the Ashes started. Arthur is now preparing legal action against Cricket Australia.

Warner wrote: “Good on Mickey Arthur finally letting the truth be known and proving he was just an escape goat [sic] #awesomebloke #Gentlemen.”

He had played for New South Wales under 17’s and toured England in 1996, but decided to walk away from the game and become a plumber. Now 33 years of age, Warner works as a Virgin Australia baggage handler.

He later removed his twitter account over the weekend.