Confusion Or Robbery? David Warner's 'Stolen' Baggy Green Mystery Is Finally Resolved
David Warner in his vintage baggy green cap (X.com)
Australian opening batter David Warner alleged that someone took his backpack containing his sentimental baggy green cap ahead of his farewell Test in Sydney, leading to intense chaos.
Warner was set to play his final Test game in Sydney on New Year, but a missing gear led to unwanted controversy.
Hours before the game, Warner took to social media claiming that his baggy green cap, which he wore for most part of his Test career, had been stolen on the way from Melbourne to Sydney. He requested the perpetrator to return the cap and promised rewards in exchange.
The matter escalated when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed Warner's desperate social media plea.
While the batter reunited with his cap a couple of days into his farewell Test, the mystery revolving around its absence has finally been resolved. It turns out that the baggy green never left Australia's team hotel in Sydney, and it was a clear case of misinformation and negligence.
Sydney Morning Herald has learned that a total of 64 kit bags travelled from Melbourne to Sydney on New Year's Eve. Warner's backpack containing the baggy green had been placed in a half coffin (smaller kit bag). But instead, the batter kept searching in a full casket, leading to confusion.
He then later informed security, and team management accordingly issued a full-fledged search. However, team manager Catherine Wightman was also found at fault as she didn't search hard enough.
Apparently, the half coffin kit bag containing Warner's backpack was in another room from his other bags, and search authorities missed it because Warner's name tag had been tucked underneath the bag.
To summarize, the baggy green had been in Sydney, right under Warner's eyes all along. Contrary to Warner's claims, it hadn't been stolen. It's just that the batter didn't search hard enough and reacted in a state of panic, leading to extended confusion and chaos.
 "Akshita Patel")
