David Warner leaves field over sledging - before returning to hit a century

Former Australia vice-captain was reportedly targeted by Jason Hughes - the brother of Phillip, who died in 2014

David Warner, pictured during the ball-tampering Test match in March, has been in fine form since returning to grade cricket. Reuters

Former Australia vice-captain David Warner continued his fine form with the bat on Saturday, scoring his second century of the NSW Premier Cricket season - but not before storming off the field mid-innings due to a sledging incident.

Warner is currently serving a 12-month suspension handed down by Cricket Australia for his part in the ball-tampering scandal during a Test match against South Africa earlier this year. The ban blocks Warner from playing for Australia or taking part in the Sheffield Shield and Big Bash League, but he is still able to play grade cricket.

During one such grade cricket match for Randwick-Petersham against Western Suburbs at Pratten Park, Warner was set on 35 before departing the field after taking offence to sledging aimed his way.

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After spending a few minutes off the field, Warner returned to the middle before going on to make 157.

According to Cricket.com.au, the player responsible for sledging Warner was Jason Hughes, the brother of Warner's former teammate and close friend Phillip, who died in 2014. The website claims that the verbals started out as goading before turning personal, and when it got nasty, Warner removed himself from the pitch.

The entire incident occurred on Warner's 32nd birthday.

Despite the unsavoury episode, Warner has continued his impressive exploits with the bat - his six-hour innings lasted 257 balls and follows an unbeaten 155 in his first match of the Premier Cricket season.