Michael Clarke blasts ex-teammate David Warner for his bizarre whingeing about his role in one of cricket’s biggest cheating scandals
- Michael Clarke has criticized David Warner’s victim mentality
- Warner Declared He’s the ‘Only One Getting Flak’ After ‘Sandpapergate’
- In 2018, Warner commissioned Cameron Bancroft to scuff in Cape Town
- The consequences were serious, Warner, Bancroft and Steve Smith were all banned
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has slammed David Warner after the retiring batsman insisted he was wrongly targeted in the Sandpapergate cheating scandal that rocked cricket.
Earlier this week, Warner admitted he will never be able to escape his role in the 2018 sandpaper disgrace during an away match against South Africa – but will not miss what he sees as constant criticism.
It came after Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera obeying Warner’s instructions to sandpaper the ball in Cape Town.
The subsequent response from Cricket Australia was severe: Warner and then-captain Steve Smith were banned for a year, while Bancroft was banned for nine months.
In addition, Warner was stripped of his leadership role for life, and Smith for two years.
Michael Clarke has slammed David Warner after the retiring batsman felt he was unfairly targeted following one of Cape Town’s biggest cricket scandals
Warner admitted he will never be able to escape his role in the 2018 sandpaper scandal during a series against South Africa – but won’t miss what he sees as constant criticism
Warner – currently playing in the T20 World Cup for Australia – still feels he was the scapegoat for the incident that sent shockwaves through the sport.
The polarizing star remains adamant he has been a target, saying: ‘I’ve probably been the only one who’s ever taken a lot of criticism.’
His comments provoked a stinging response from former teammate Clarke.
“I understand where Davey is coming from, and I think some of what he said is fair enough,” he told ESPN’s Around the Wicket.
‘[But] I just don’t think it’s fair to say he’s the only one who did this.
“I think Cameron Bancroft certainly did it, and I think there’s still talk about why he’s not in the Australian Test team because of what happened years ago.
“Steve Smith has clearly handled it and lost the Australian captain.
“Davey certainly did it, there’s no doubt about that, but I just think about the timing of his comments [middle of the T20 World Cup] probably not right.’
David Warner and Michael Clarke together at the crease in a Test match against England
Warner is determined to end his international career with Australia on a high, with the T20 World Cup trophy in his sights.
He is also aware that regardless of his batting average, some fans with long memories will always turn their backs on him.
“It’s fine if they want to do that, but I always feel like I took a lot of pressure off a lot of guys,” he said.
‘But you can only absorb so much. For me, it’s great to go out knowing I’m not going to make it [criticism] more.
“As a cricketer, I was someone who tried to change the game. I always tried to score runs at a high pace, regardless of the format.”