David Warner, who recently signed a two-year contract to play for Sydney Thunder in the BBL, has requested that Cricket Australia speak with him about having his lifetime ban from holding any post as Australia Captain lifted.
Along with Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft, Warner received the harshest punishment of the three players involved in the ball-tampering incident during Australia’s 2018 match against South Africa in Cape Town. Warner was barred from holding any position of authority in Australian cricket for the remainder of his playing career.
To allow Warner to skipper at least in the BBL, there is rising sentiment in the game that the ruling must be overturned. After Usman Khawaja joined Brisbane Heat, the Thunder will need a new captain for the 2022–23 season.
Warner said, “That hasn’t really been brought to the table. As I’ve said plenty of times off the record, it’s upon the board to reach out to me and open their doors. Then I can sit down and have an honest conversation with them.
“The board has changed since back in 2018 and when all those sanctions were dealt. It would be great to have a conversation with them and see where we are at.”
Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia’s Test team, has been a vocal supporter of Warner’s reinstatement. “I don’t see why not. He’s a brilliant leader. I hope so.” At a recent Chappell Foundation event held at the SCG, he stated.
When Cummins was unable to play because of a close contact with Covid, Smith led Australia in the second Test match against England in Adelaide last year. Smith was given a two-year leadership suspension in 2018.
Warner, however, is confident that he can take on a leadership role whether or not he is given the opportunity to captain Australia’s cricket team once more.
He said, “I’ve got the experience, I’m a leader in the side anyway without having a title. That’s what I’m about, giving back, so if they [younger players] can pick my brains in any way, my phone is always there, they have my number, and they can see me when I’m at the practice facilities.”
David Warner Opens Up About His Future As Australia Captain
