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A frustrated David Warner said on Monday he was ‘not a criminal’ and everyone should have the right to appeal as Cricket Australia paved the way for his lifetime leadership ban to be lifted.
The dynamic opener and former Test vice-captain was banned from any leadership role in Australia for his part in the 2018 Cape Town ball-handling affair.
Warner and former Australia captain Steve Smith ordered batsman Cameron Bancroft to tamper with the ball with a piece of sandpaper during the third Test match of the series against South Africa.
David Warner was banned from leading Australia in any format of the game for his role in the 2018 Sandpaper gate scandal
Bancroft and Smith were also suspended, with the latter suspended for two years. At the time, CA insisted that Warner receive a lifetime suspension from captaincy roles.
But under a change to CA’s code of conduct confirmed Monday, he can now request a review of the sanction, a move previously not allowed.
The code of conduct changes were first raised nine months ago and Warner said it had taken too long.
“It’s drawn out, it’s traumatic for me and my family and everyone else involved,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted the 36-year-old in Melbourne as saying.
The Aussie batsman was among those banned along with Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith
Cameron Bancroft (pictured) was caught applying sandpaper to the ball during the Third Test against South Africa in 2018 to try and induce a reverse swing
Warner and Smith were found to have been the instigators of the plot during the test
“I think it’s just a matter of being honest that I’m not a criminal after all. You should get a right of appeal at some point, you know.”
Warner said the impact of the ban was “deeply disappointing” for him and his family and welcomed the opportunity to “raise my case” to the CA board.
“We didn’t have to go into that detail, we didn’t have to relive what happened,” he said.
“It’s been disappointing there from that perspective, but it’s good to get to where we are now.
The 36-year-old said the leadership ban had been a traumatic experience for him
Smith was banned and suspended for two years following the scandal, in which he and Warner ordered Bancroft to tamper with the ball.
“It gives me the opportunity to call up the integrity unit and therefore speak to them and put forward my plea for the 100 hours [community service] I did in 2018 for what happened.
“I’m happy to do that, we’ll have to see where my schedule fits in time to be able to do that.”
When asked if he thought the ban was strict, the veteran batsman acknowledged that some form of punishment was needed, but insisted a lifetime suspension would have been too strong an answer.
“I understand that they have imposed a ban, but I think suspending someone for life is a bit harsh,” he said.
Warner endured a tough T20 World Cup as Australia were knocked out of the group stage after finishing behind New Zealand and England on net run rate
“So it’s just an opportunity to come out and actually, you know, show that I’m really remorseful. I’ve done my time getting back to the Australian cricket line-up.’
Under the new rule, a player must show that there are “exceptional circumstances that warrant changing a penalty,” including showing remorse and evidence of improved behavior.
CA said the policy “recognizes that players and player support staff are capable of real reform or rehabilitation.”
It added that the policy is: “Intended to give the player or player support staff the opportunity to resume their previously held positions or responsibilities in specific circumstances.”
Warner has insisted he remains committed to both ODIs and T20s and could now be captain
The veteran batsman has maintained his spot at the top of the rankings in all three formats
Pat Cummins is currently the Australian Test and ODI captain and Aaron Finch skipper of the T20 side.
An lifting of Warner’s suspension would make him a prime candidate to take over the T20 captaincy should Finch step down, as he recently did with the Over-50s.
Warner would also be in the mix, alongside Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood and Alex Carey, to replace Cummins or act as his vice-captain. It could also enable him to manage his Big Bash League side Sydney Thunder.
Aaron Finch relinquished ODI captaincy in September and could soon step down as T20 skipper after a disappointing World Cup on home soil
Warner was cast as the main villain in the 2018 ‘Sandpaper-gate’ ball mess scandal against South Africa after conspiring with then skipper Smith and Cameron Bancroft to change the ball during the Third Test in Cape Town.
Like Warner, Smith was banned from playing for one year, but his leadership sanction lasted only two years.
Both players bounced back to regain their place in the national side in all three formats of the game.