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Australian icon Ian Chappell says there is NO WAY Cricket Australia will lift David Warner’s captaincy ban, accuses governing body of ‘protecting its own butt’
- Former Test captain Ian Chappell has influenced David Warner’s leadership saga
- Declared Warner ‘too old’ to captain his nation, then recalled Cricket Australia
- Felt the governing body is reactive, needs to improve image with the Australian public
Australian sports great Ian Chappell believes David Warner’s lifetime captaincy ban should never be lifted, before accusing Cricket Australia of “protecting their own butt”.
Chappell, 71, has never been shy when it comes to expressing his opinions, believing the 36-year-old leadoff hitter is “too old” to lead his nation.
‘If Cricket Australia were to lift the ban on Warners, what would that do? I mean, you’re not going to make Warner captain of any Australian team, are you? He’s too old,’ said Chappell Wide World of Sports.
“And they’re not going to give him the part because the captain has to be young enough to lead by example, and those days are gone for David.”
“I think David probably wanted the leadership of his BBL team (the Sydney Thunder) so he could help them.
Australian sports great Ian Chappell believes David Warner’s lifetime captaincy ban after the events in South Africa in 2018 should never be lifted.
Chappell also stated that Warner is “too old” to captain Australia, before criticizing Cricket Australia for their poor leadership.
He would have been a very good leader for them, he thinks very aggressively about the game. Whatever leadership position he held, he would be good at it.’
Chappell went on to say that CA, which issued Warner a lifetime leadership ban following his role in the South African ball-tampering scandal five years ago, refused to lift the ban because they always “look out for themselves, they don’t take care of the players.’
Warner, 36, was suspended for 12 months after the events in Cape Town as was then-captain Steve Smith.
Also, former leadoff hitter Cameron Bancroft has received a nine-month suspension, but all seems forgiven when it comes to Smith.
With Pat Cummins injured against the West Indies for the recent test in Adelaide, Smith was the substitute skipper.
The decision raised many eyebrows, with many cricket fans in Australia feeling that Warner had been harsh and that different rules apply for different players.
Chappell then singled out CA, noting how poorly they are received by the Australian public.
“This (Warner saga) is just another example of Cricket Australia not being very good, it’s been mishandled,” he said.
‘My point is that Cricket Australia will never do anything in the interest of the players or the player; they’ll just do something to protect their own butt.
Cricket Australia’s handling of the Tim Paine sexting scandal and Justin Langer’s controversial removal as head coach were two examples Chappell cited as further evidence of the governing body’s woeful leadership.
Firing embattled CEO Nick Hockley isn’t the answer either, according to Chappell.