Cricket news: David Warner signs with Sydney Thunder, returns to BBL for first time in decade

Sydney Thunder’s landmark signing of David Warner has pushed the champion batsman’s controversial lifetime captaincy ban back on top of the agenda. What comes next?

David Warner is set to return to the BBL this summer.

Sydney Thunder have asked Cricket Australia officials for urgent clarification over the future of David Warner’s captaincy ban.

For the first time, the CA board will be forced to make a call on whether to overturn the controversial lifetime sentence from the Sandpapergate scandal, as Warner declared on Sunday he would like to have an “honest conversation” with cricket directors about his leadership status.

Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon told News Corp the Thunder will delay naming a captain until they are told whether or not Cricket Australia’s board will allow them to consider Warner — who has signed a landmark two-year deal to become the biggest star injection for the BBL since the days of Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen.

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Sydney Thunder signing David Warner speaks to the media. Picture: Ian Bird/CNSW

“We’re yet to receive any notification from CA about the status of the leadership opportunity for David,” Germon said.

“It depends on receiving that … we expect that to be coming to us. I don’t know if it’ll be publicly announced, but certainly (we expect it to be) coming to us and then we can talk about the options.

“I think irrespective he’ll play a leadership role in the Thunder either way. And to give David credit, he’s just said he wants to contribute either way.

“I don’t think we’re quite at that stage yet (of knowing an answer). No doubt he’ll be a leader.”

Despite pressure from the Australian Cricketers Association, broadcasters and leading players like Test captain Pat Cummins, Cricket Australia have until now refused to revisit the penalty handed down to Warner.

Since 2018, the board and the game’s administration has changed almost entirely, and Warner said on Sunday that although he is yet to discuss captaincy with the Thunder, he would like an opportunity to speak with Cricket Australia directors about where he stands.

“It’s upon the board to reach out to me and open their doors and I can sit down and have an honest conversation with them,” Warner said.

David Warner with his kids after the joining Sydney Thunder for this year’s Big Bash League. Picture: Ian Bird/CNSW

“The board has changed since back in 2018 and when all those sanctions were dealt. It’ll be great to have a conversation with them and see where we’re at.”

Since the Sandpapergate bans were handed down, Steve Smith has captained Australia again, but Warner remains banned for life.

Cummins as Test skipper has said on two occasions in recent months that he fundamentally disagrees with the ban because it fails to provide an opportunity for redemption, while ACA bosses Shane Watson and Todd Greenberg have said repeatedly that the ban is only hurting young players who could be benefiting from Warner’s vast experience as a captain and leader overseas.

The fact Cricket Australia has contributed a large sum of money to Warner’s BBL deal underlines the fact they do realise what he brings to the Big Bash, but the question now is whether the organisation is prepared to stick its neck out and change a decision made by a previous board.

Warner wants to be a leader for Thunder young stars Jason Sangha, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ollie Davies and Baxter Holt, regardless of what CA decide and has not made captaincy a stipulation of his return to the competition for the first time in nearly a decade.

Despite pressure from the Australian Cricketers Association, broadcasters and leading players, CA has until now refused to revisit the penalty handed down to Warner.

“100 per cent. There’s no reason why I can’t. I’ve got the experience. I’m a leader in the side anyway without having a title,” said Warner.

“And that’s what I’m about. I’m about giving back. If they can pick my brains in any way, my phone is always there. They’ve got my number and they can see me when I’m at the practice facilities.”

It was revealed at Shane Warne’s funeral that one of the reasons he was so invested in the BBL was because he wanted his friends and family to have the chance to watch him play at the MCG.

In a similar way, Warner’s return to the Thunder despite the offer of millions in the rival UAE League was motivated by his three daughters.

“For me obviously a big part of it was the girls here. They’ve never seen me play Big Bash,” Warner said.

“I’m all about family and obviously the Big Bash is all about family. They get the opportunity to come with me after the Test series and hopefully watch some games and have some fun and bring their friends along.”

Warner’s BBL return confirmed in landmark deal

Sydney Thunder have confirmed the landmark signing of David Warner, who has revealed his motivation to return to the Big Bash is based on a desire to save the competition for future generations.

A deal has been done by Cricket Australia which has delivered one of the all-time greats of T20 cricket back to the Big Bash after a decade.

It’s a massive coup for Cricket Australia just weeks after there was a serious threat Warner could defect to the new competing league in the UAE.

Warner will be the biggest star injection the Big Bash has experienced since the days of Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne.

The Sydney Thunder said in a statement Sunday morning they would not be naming a captain until closer to the start of the BBL season, with coach Trevor Bayliss hailing the leadership influence Warner will have on the group.

“The club has a tremendous group of young talented batters and leaders, with the likes of Jason Sangha, Ollie Davies, Matt Gilkes and Baxter Holt. They will all benefit greatly from Davey’s experience and guidance,” said Bayliss.

David Warner will feature for Sydney Thunder again.

“Davey’s record on the field speaks for itself and I have no doubt he already has and will continue to inspire many, many kids to play and love cricket.”

CA boss Nick Hockley has been working hard behind the scenes trying to nut out a deal with Warner ever since flying home early from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Warner will only be available for the back end of the BBL after the Sydney Test, but his presence will be an instant boost for broadcasters and crowds in Sydney and around Australia.

During the players’ pay dispute with Cricket Australia back in 2017, Warner was the leading voice, and again he has declared a motivation to play his part for cricketers to follow.

“I’m really excited to get back to the Big Bash with the club where I started,” Warner said, having played two games for the Thunder in the fledgling years of the competition and scoring the BBL’s first ever century.

“I care deeply about the game, and I am conscious that the conditions that I enjoy as a professional cricketer have largely come from other senior players who have come before me.

“That is how the game is structured and I understand that my contribution to the future of the BBL will hopefully benefit the next generation of players long after I am retired.”

Originally published as Cricket news: David Warner signs with Sydney Thunder, returns to BBL for first time in decade