David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban has been lifted by Cricket Australia (CA) after six-and-half years, meaning he is eligible to lead Sydney Thunder in the upcoming BBL.
Warner was barred from captaining any team in Australia by the ban imposed on him after the 2018 sandpapergate scandal in Capetown. Having retired from international cricket after the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Warner appeared before a three-member panel in a CA's Conduct Commission hearing to have his ban revoked following changes to the code of conduct in 2022.
"In its decision the panel noted 'the respectful and contrite tone of his [Warner's] 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'," read a CA statement.
"The panel also considered references citing 'the contribution that Mr Warner has made, and can make in the future, towards the development of young cricketers in Australia if they were given the opportunity to be led by Mr Warner, his important continuing role in fostering interest in cricket especially with the South Asian community in Australia and generally'."
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The review panel also received letters of support from some prominent names, including Australia Test captain Pat Cummins and New Zealand star Kane Williamson, who was Warner’s long-time teammate at IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"Since 2018, he [Warner] has acknowledged his responsibility to the game and future generations and stepped up his engagement with communities who play cricket," wrote Cummins in his letter of support. "David was instrumental in supporting the Australian Cricket Team undertaking the most recent tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. During these tours his upholding of the spirit of cricket and his respect for the opposition as did his understanding of the importance of those tours for the game. These higher considerations transcended the matches we played in and were felt by the cricket-loving public in those nations."
In his submission, Williamson said, "In our time together at the Sunrisers I have seen David set a good example for our teammates, giving of his time for fans and supporters of the club in competition in promoting the game."
Warner, however, had been allowed to captain teams across the world since his ban, having led the Sunrisers and Delhi Capitals in the IPL.
The decision of the hearing makes Warner eligible to take up the Thunder's captaincy in BBL 2024-25.
"The fact he can be on the table as a captaincy option is definitely going to be spoken about," said Thunder general manager Trent Copeland. "Internally, the chats have already happened in terms of assessing if that will be a good decision. I think that's a no-brainer. Everyone who knows Davey and has watched him over the years has seen him be a great captain and leader, particularly with the bat in hand.
"This is far bigger than a cricket captaincy role. It's leadership in a lifelong context. This was about him, his daughters in particular, the legacy he wants to leave for his family. This is about Davey, his family and ultimately in our belief what is right at this point in time. If that's a lifelong ban, it's still over him when he's 50, 60. It just would never go away. It [what happened in 2018] may not ever go away, but I think at least this gives it a shot."
It’s worth noting that Warner previously withdrew from his leadership ban review in frustration in 2022.
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