‘Sunrisers wait for Cricket Australia decision’
HYDERABAD: Amid doubts over David Warner’s participation in the Indian Premier League, Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman today said the franchise would wait for Cricket Australia’s decision on the player, who finds himself embroiled in a ball tampering controversy.
Steve Smith and Warner stood down as captain and vice-captain for rest of Australia’s third Test match against South Africa yesterday for involvement in ball tampering on the third day of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. “It’s very unfortunate what has happened in the Cape Town Test. As far as Sunrisers is concerned, it’s too early for us to comment. Because, it was, just which has happened day before yesterday. We will wait for decision of Cricket Australia,” Laxman said. Asked if there is an alternative plan in the event of any harsh action against Warner, he said SRH is not even thinking on those lines at the moment.
“The information available at the moment is very limited. So, we will wait for further information. If at all, the need be, then we will discuss about that. As far as Warner is concerned, he has been an exceptional leader for Sunrisers group,” Laxman said.
Sunrisers, champions of IPL 2016, start their final leg of preparation from March 30 for the IPL, which begins on April 7.
“It’s not very often where you are in that position where you plan and you target certain players and you get those players in the auction. We are very pleased with the way the auction went. Especially, we are happy with the way we got the domestic players.
“Because, over the last few years, that’s one area where unfortunately Sunrisers hasn’t been able to do well. We expect a lot from our domestic talent and they were, unfortunately, not been able to play to their potential. So, it was important for us to have a strong Indian players this time. We are happy that we got a lot of them,” he said.
You’ve got to ask some tough questions of Steve Smith and (Australia coach) Darren Lehmann. They’ve obviously driven this process, they’re the leadership. Time for shift in attitude of all in leadership to give youngsters role models who will uphold standards, preserve cricket and, vitally, Spirit of Cricket for future. What makes the Australians’ behaviour in Cape Town different from other instances, I believe, is the premeditated nature of the crime.