WARNER COULD YET MAKE A STAND OVER BAN
DAVID Warner could summon teammates to the stand if he triggers a watershed hearing that has the potential to spark civil war in Australian cricket.
The deposed vice-captain, as well as Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, have until 5pm on Thursday to decide if they want to argue their case for reduced sanctions.
The hearing would be held on April 11 and be chaired by an independent commissioner.
With the approval of the commissioner, Warner would be able to call witnesses – including players, coaches, staff and administrators – to answer key questions relating to the ball-tampering scandal.
Cricket Australia board member Mark Taylor claimed at the weekend that all players and support staff had been interviewed as part of CA’s sandpaper investigation. But it’s understood that is not the case and only select individuals were spoken to by integrity chief Iain Roy.
Warner could tip the bucket on Australian cricket if he was to pose a convincing argument that others knew of the Cape Town sandpaper plot, contrary to the declared findings of Cricket Australia’s investigation, or if he provided evidence pointing to previous instances of ball-tampering.
The batting superstar is yet to rule out either of these explosive questions, or the prospect of immediate retirement from international cricket.
If Warner challenges sanctions at a hearing, he risks the potential for harsher penalties.
Cricket Australia has not charged Warner, Smith and Bancroft with balltampering, but rather with bringing the game into disrepute. The organisation and the players stand to feel the effects of major sponsor Magellan pulling out and a TV rights deal – which could be signed by the end of the week – now less valuable.
Last night, South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis extended the pain for the tourists in the fourth and final Test.