David Warner's captaincy ban lifted six years after 'Sandpapergate'
David Warner’s departure from sledging and trying “to provoke the opposing team”, as well as contrition and acceptance of responsibility for his part in the 2018 sandpaper scandal has convinced Cricket Australia to lift a lifetime leadership ban on the polarising opener.
Warner, who retired from international cricket last year, fronted a three-member panel earlier this month and lobbied to have his suspension from holding any leadership role in Australian cricket overturned.
The 37-year-old was known as “The Bull” during the first iteration of his career, and was regarded as the national side’s attack dog until being served a 12-month suspension, along with teammates Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft (a nine-month ban), for their part in the Newlands ball-tampering incident six years ago.
Warner was issued a leadership ban in addition to his year on the sidelines, the last remaining sanction from the saga.
The overturned ban gives Warner the chance to take charge at the BBL’s Sydney Thunder this summer, with Cricket NSW chief Lee German and Thunder general manager Trent Copeland both welcoming the decision on Friday morning.
“Warner’s conduct and behaviour since the imposition of the sanction has been excellent and he appears to have made a substantial change, one example of which is that he no longer sledges or tries to provoke the opposing team,” a statement released by panellists Alan Sullivan KC, Jeff Gleeson KC and Jane Seawright read.
David Warner will be able to captain the Thunder this summer.Credit: Getty
“The Review Panel is more than satisfied that Mr Warner will not engage in any conduct similar to that which occurred in 2018 which resulted in the sanction and that the sanction has thus had the relevant quality of specific deterrence.”
Warner raised eyebrows this week with an offer to return to the Australian Test side in this summer’s series against India. Selectors and Test skipper Pat Cummins have rebuffed his suggestions of an international comeback.
During his farewell from the world stage at June’s T20 World Cup in the Carribean, Warner told travelling reporters that “Coming back since 2018 I’ve probably ... been the only one that’s ever copped a lot of flak.
“Whether it’s people who don’t like the Australian cricket team or don’t like me, I’ve always been that person who has copped it ... I think it’s going to be inevitable that when people talk about me in 20 or 30 years’ time, there will always be that sandpaper scandal”.
David Warner walking out to bat for the last time in Test cricket at the SCG earlier this year.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
Warner captained the Thunder before his leadership ban was imposed and was joined at his hearing by Copeland, a long-time NSW teammate.
“There has been a real shift in Dave, his demeanour, how he carries himself,” Copeland told the panel in a transcript of the hearing published by Cricket Australia.
“It’s had a profound impact on him and certain behaviours, if you will, prior to 2018 that Dave was referencing, and … the sledging or the other things that might come naturally to professional cricket, there’s been a real line in the sand that just does not appear anymore with David Warner on a cricket field.”
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Cummins and Australian coach Andrew McDonald both provided written references in support of Warner’s appeal, along with ex-Test batter Greg Chappell and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who has played against him at international level and alongside him in the IPL.
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said Warner deserved another chance at captaining or holding a leadership position following an overhauled code of conduct review process instigated by the Sandpapergate fall-out.
“In 2022 we updated the code of conduct to ensure there was a fair and rigorous process in place for all players and player support personnel to have long-term sanctions reviewed,” Hockley said.
“I am pleased David has chosen to have his sanction reviewed and that he will be eligible to take up leadership positions in Australian cricket this summer.”
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