Australian cricket great Stuart MacGill launched a stunning tirade against a podcast host for mentioning South Africa’s treatment of the Warner family in 2018.
MacGill was appearing on Cricket Unfiltered, which is hosted by well-known Aussie cricket blogger and podcaster Andrew Menczel.
Menczel began to broach the subject of the ugly Cape Town scenes of eight years ago when members of the crowd wore Sonny Bill Williams masks in an effort to taunt Aussie batter David Warner.
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It was a tasteless reference to his wife Candice‘s one-time relationship with the cross-code football star Williams.
When Menczel raised the incident and labelled it “low behaviour”, MacGill became irritated to the point he began verbally abusing his co-host from across the microphone.
It was part of a broader discussion about crowd behaviour at cricket matches.
Cricket great Stuart MacGill berates podcast host Andrew Menczel. YouTube
“I think it’s pretty low talking about it for starters, Menners, and I think you didn’t need to go into details there,” MacGill began.
“I think that’s shit, you’re a f—ing idiot. You shouldn’t go into details about that because you’re doing exactly the same as the crowd.”
Menczel attempted to defend himself but MacGill raised his voice.
“You are, you’ve raised exactly the same issues, you’re saying the same thing that they did and that is shit,” he said.
“So we’re not going to talk about that anymore.
“I’m right mate. What I want you to do right this minute – because otherwise this is going to be a very, very short-lived relationship – you need to respect players and their families a lot more than you do at the moment.”
Former Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill arrives at Downing Centre Local last May. Sam Mooy
Menczel replied “I do respect them” before his co-host continued the barrage.
“You did exactly the same as the South African crowd, mate,” MacGill said.
“(Candice Warner) is a friend of mine as well. I feel sorry for you because you’re obviously so pig-headed that you do not realise you said exactly the same thing as the South African crowd. Exactly the same.
“You are a moron. Next topic.”
MacGill told Menczel if he edited the piece out of the podcast, “it’s the last time I ever work with you”.
MacGill then yelled “move on” several times when Menczel tried to explain himself.
Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill during a Test match. Getty
“Listen you muppet, when I say move on I’m not saying keep talking. Move on,” MacGill yelled.
Menczel points out MacGill “looks really upset” before the latter says “you’re a joke, mate” and says “I may jump across the mic any second”.
A rattled Menczel attempted to move on to the next topic, before abruptly ending the podcast.
Wide World of Sports reached out to Menczel, who said he did not want to comment further on the situation. MacGill did not respond to requests for comment.
MacGill, now 55, played 44 Test matches for Australia but had his career largely stymied by leg spin legend Shane Warne, who played at the same time.
Last year the Sydneysider avoided jail after being convicted of cocaine supply.
