Warner and Slater rubbish reports of drunken altercation in Maldives

Opening batsman David Warner and commentator Michael Slater have denied reports of their involvement in a drunken bar brawl in Maldives, where the Australia's Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 contingent is waiting to board a flight home in a few days' time.

According to a report by Daily Telegraph, Warner and Slater got into a late night physical altercation after a heated argument at the Taj Coral Resort in Male where they are in quarantine. The duo are part of a group of 39 Australians who were flown to the Maldives on a charter flight following the suspension of IPL 2021 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in its bio-secure bubble. 

But Warner and Slater said "nothing happened". 

"There is absolutely nothing to the rumour mill Buzz. Davie and I are great mates and absolutely zero chance of (having) a fight," Slater was quoted saying by foxsports.com.au.

Warner also said: "There has been no drama. I don't know where you get these things from. Unless you were here and have got concrete evidence you can't write anything.

"Nothing happened."

Slater, who was commentating in the IPL, had left for Maldives earlier than the other Australians awaiting clearance to return home at the end of a travel ban Down Under on arrivals from India May 15.

Slater had made headlines after he lambasted threats of jail time and fines for returning Australians put in place by his government as a "disgrace" and said Prime Minister Scott Morrison had "blood" on his hands.