Match referee Chris Broad has deleted a tweet and reportedly been rebuked by the ICC for posting a meme that poked fun at David Warner and the hold Chris Broad’s son, Stuart, has over him in the Ashes.

Stuart Broad has now dismissed Warner 17 times in Test cricket, including twice early in each innings in the ongoing game at Headingley. Only two bowlers have dismissed an individual batter more often, with Alec Bedser dismissing Arthur Morris 18 times, and Glenn McGrath seeing off Michael Atherton 19 times.

Broad’s hold over Warner has become a topic of much enjoyment among England fans, and Chris Broad joined in. He posted a picture which displayed The Simpsons character Bart Simpson, with Warner’s head overlaid, writing lines on a chalkboard saying, “Stuart Broad has got me out again”, originally posted by the Barmy Army, England’s main supporters group. Broad has since deleted the tweet.

Broad, who has been a match referee since 2003 and is the second-most experienced in the role in Test history, was also reportedly rebuked by the ICC, according to The Age. The Australian newspaper stated that sources close to the ICC indicated that he had been told it was unbecoming of his role, though there is no official statement from the governing body. Broad has never served as a match referee in the Ashes, due to the ICC’s requirement for match officials to be neutral, but he has officiated in several games involving Broad (during 2020 and 2021, when the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated non-neutral officials at times) and Warner individually.

David Warner is yet to make a century in England on four tours of the country. Having confirmed his retirement date for early 2024, he has two Tests left in which to do so.

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