Disgraced opener won’t challenge suspension, hints he will play again Warner takes medicine
DAVID Warner hopes to become a “better teammate and role model” after accepting the 12- month ban handed to him by Cricket Australia, meaning there will be no appeals over the ball- tampering scandal.
Warner yesterday joined sacked skipper Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft in opting not to challenge the suspensions imposed for bringing the game into disrepute during the Cape Town Test.
“I have today let Cricket Australia know that I fully accept the sanctions imposed on me. I am truly sorry for my actions and will now do everything I can to be a better person, teammate and role model,” Warner tweeted. The former vice- captain took to social media after his Saturday morning media conference to confirm he was seeking advice on the matter.
The disgraced opener had the most at stake, after admitting he was “resigned to the fact” he may never play for Australia again after being identified as the mastermind of the tampering plans.
CA’s code of conduct – under which the banned trio were found to have brought the game into disrepute – meant Warner had until the day before next Wednesday’s potential hearing to confirm his position.
Many suspected he would challenge the year- long suspension.
But the 31- year- old’s decision not to – and his pledge to be a “better teammate” – confirms he will play on rather than retire, another option he said he would consider.
Warner’s decision closes the page on one of the ugliest chapters in Australian cricket history and will come as a huge relief for CA.
The prospect of the saga dragging on further with appeals would not have been a good look for the governing body.
Smith’s response on Wednesday came earlier than ex- pected and has done much to maintain the swell of public support he won after his gutwrenching media conference last Thursday when he arrived back in Sydney.
“I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country,” the sacked captain tweeted on Wednesday.
“But I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as captain of the team. I won’t be challenging the sanctions.
“They’ve been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them.”
Smith, Warner and Bancroft could head for England’s county system, with CA not expected to stand in their way. Smith is also likely to turn out next summer for Sutherland in Sydney grade cricket, after the club offered its full support last weekend to the 28- year- old.
In the longer term, national captaincy can be back on the agenda by March 2020. Bancroft can embark on his more difficult path back into the Australian side earlier, given he is likely to slide back into Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield side for the second half of summer.
Bancroft’s suspension will be lifted at the end of December, meaning he can also play in the majority of the Big Bash League.