New Delhi: David Warner, the former Australian opener, has redeemed himself with a successful review of his lifetime captaincy ban that was imposed on him six years back. Cricket Australia on Friday lifted the lifetime leadership ban on him, which means he is now eligible to captain his Big Bash League (BBL) team Sydney Thunder in the upcoming season. Warner pleaded his case to a three-member independent panel earlier this month, which found the southpaw ticking all the boxes to have the ban lifted effective immediately.
Following the infamous ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town in 2018 when Australia toured South Africa, Warner, who was the vice-captain at the time, was identified at the root of the plan and was slapped with a lifetime ban from leadership roles along with a one-year ban from cricket. Steve Smith, who led the Australian team in the Test series, was also banned for one year and was handed a captaincy ban for 12 months. Cameron Bancroft, the other conspirer was banned for nine months
“I am pleased David has chosen to have his sanction reviewed and that he will be eligible to take up leadership positions in Australian Cricket this summer,” Nick Hockley, who is CA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said on Friday. “In 2022 we updated the Code of Conduct to ensure there was a fair and rigorous process in place for all players and player support personnel to have long-term sanctions reviewed,” Hockley added.
Warner had notably appealed against the leadership ban but angrily withdrew it in 2022, expressing disappointment over the manner in which the enquiry was being held. Warner called time on his international cricket career, with the T20 World Cup 2024 being his last outing for Australia.
What did the panel say?
“The respectful and contrite tone of his responses, as well as the content impressed the Review Panel and led it to the unanimous view that he was sincere and genuine in acknowledging responsibility for the conduct and in his statement that he had extreme remorse for his conduct,” the panel stated.
“Mr Warner’s conduct and behaviour since the imposition of the sanction has been excellent and he appears to have made a substantial change, one example of which is that he no longer sledges or tries to provoke the opposing team.
“The Review Panel is more than satisfied that Mr Warner will not engage in any conduct similar to that which occurred in 2018 which resulted in the sanction and that the sanction has thus had the relevant quality of specific deterrence.”
Who came in Warner’s support?
Warner and his case found solace in multiple teammates, even from cross-border players with whom he plays in league cricket. During the latest hearing, Warner had the company of Trent Copeland, Sydney Thunder’s general manager, and Warner’s teammate from NSW and Australia playing days. The panel also received letters of support from current Test captain Pat Cummins and head coach Andrew McDonald.
Even former captain Greg Chappell, and Lisa Sthalekar, the former women’s team skipper, wrote to the panel in Warner’s favour. The committee also received a written reference from New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who used to play alongside Warner at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
