Banned Aussie opener David Warner apologises for role in ball tampering scandal in South Africa

DAVID Warner broke his silence at the SCG vowing to win back Australia’s trust and his place in the national team - a feat he admits may never eventuate. In tears, and comforted by wife Candice, he said he knew he’d let everyone down.

DUMPED Australian cricket star David Warner failed to rule out his role in ball tampering being an isolated incident as he contemplates retiring from the game.

Warner’s 10-minute press conference left more questions than answers and will now surely prompt further investigation by Cricket Australia. Warner refused to say the ball-tampering saga was limited to just he, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft - simply repeating over and over that he took “full responsibility” for “the part” he played in the fiasco.

A teary Warner was accompanied by wife Candice inside a theatre at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Having read a prepared statement, Warner than took questions but failed to bring closure to a topic which is now set to simmer for weeks.

He did little to refute claims that he was the chief architect in the plot to cheat during the Third Test against South Africa and that this was a one-off incident.

David Warner let his emotions flow at the press conference.

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WARNER: ‘I apologise for my part’

The South African team had suspected Warner had been illegally modifying the ball after he wore excessive tape on his previously broken fingers and thumb earlier in the series.

“As I said before I am here to accept my responsibility for the part I played in day three,” Warner said when asked directly if he had ball tampered before.

“It’s tough for me to talk about where my thought space was given the circumstances that happened.”

It was far from the explosive press conference some were expecting. Warner may have been protecting his teammates by refusing to name others – if they were involved in the plot – but by refusing to say it was limited to just the three banned players it adds more fuel to the fire.

When asked if anyone else knew of the plot, Warner simply replied again with the “my part” and “responsibility” line.

“It’s inexcusable,” Warner said of his actions.

Warner will be 32 by the time his ban expires. The wishy-washy nature of the press conference had Warner indicating in his prepared statement that he would like to play on. But by the end of it he refused to rule out walking away from a career which has netted 74 Tests, 106 one-dayers and 70 Twenty20 matches for Australia.

“Right now it is hard to know what comes next, but first and foremost is the well-being of my family,” Warner said.

“In the back of my mind I suppose there is a tiny ray of hope that I may one day be given the privilege of playing for my country again but I am resigned to the fact that that may never happen. But in the coming weeks and months I’m going to look at how this has happened and who I am as a man. To be honest I’m not sure right now how I will do this.

“(Retiring) is something I will continue to sit down and weigh up all my considerations before I make a decision.”

1/3 I know there are unanswered questions and lots of them. I completely understand. In time i will do my best to answer them all. But there is a formal CA process to follow.

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 31, 2018

2/3 I am taking advice to make sure I properly comply with that process and answer all questions in the proper place and at the proper time.

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 31, 2018

3/3 I should have mentioned that in my press conference I’m sorry for not making it clearer. With so much at stake for my family and cricket I have to follow this process properly. I think that’s fair.

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 31, 2018

Warner, who has until Thursday to appeal the suspension, was stripped as vice-captain, axed by sponsors and banned from his $2.4 million Indian Premier League contract.

If he does appeal there are suggestions he will lift the lid then. Warner said he supported Cricket Australia’s review of the team’s culture.

There have been reports that Warner has been ostracised from the rest of the Test team while his relationship with Smith was so toxic the pair had to fly home separately.

“We are mates,” Warner said of his teammates.

“We’ve grown up with each other. We’ve played on the field for a long time with each other. It’s going to be really tough not to be able to partake in the next 12 months.

“We made a decision that was inexcusable and extremely regrettable.

“The Australian cricket is my family. I regret what happened. I wish I could be there and on the field with them. It’s one thing I’m going to miss.

“I really wish and hope that Steve and Cameron have the same support I have with me because it’s going to be a tough and emotional time the next 12 months.”

Warner opened by apologising to the Australian people, his teammates, Cricket Australia and the South African team and fans.

David Warner let his emotions get the better of him.

David Warner gets a good luck kiss from wife Candace.

David Warner’s full statement

“I would like to thank you all for coming this morning. To the fans and lovers of the game that have inspired me I want to sincerely apologise for betraying your trust. I have let you down badly. I hope in time I can find a way to repay for all you have given me and possibly earn your respect again. To my team mates and support staff, I apologise for my actions and I take full responsibility for my part on what happened on day 3. To Cricket Australia I apologise for my actions and the effect it has had on our game under your care and control. I want you to know that I fully support your review in the culture of the Australian cricket team. To South Africa, the players, administrators and fans, I apologise unreservedly for my part in this and I’m sorry. I have brought the game into disrepute on your soil. South Africa is a fine cricketing nation. And deserves better from its guests and deserves better from me. To all Australians, whether you are a cricket fan or not, I apologise for my actions. And I’m sorry for the impact those actions have had on our country’s reputation. I can honestly say I have only ever wanted to bring glory to my country through playing cricket. In striving to do so I have made a decision which has had the opposite effect. And it’s one that I will regret for as long as I live. I do realise that I’m responsible for my own actions. And the consequences that it brings. It is heartbreaking to know that I will not be taking the field with my teammates I love and respect and that I have let down. Right now it is hard to know what comes next, but first and foremost... Is the well-being of my family. In the back of my mind I suppose there is a tiny ray of hope That I ... may one-day be given the privilege of playing for my country again but I am resigned to the fact that that may never happen. But in the coming weeks and months I’m going to look at how this has happened and who I am as a man. To be honest I’m not sure right now how I will do this. I will seek out advice and seek expertise to help me make serious changes. I want to apologise to my family. Especially my wife and daughters. Your love means - your love means more than anything to me. I know I would not be anything without you. I am very sorry for putting you through this and I I promise you that I will never put you in this position again. Before I take questions, I want to again say thank you. I take full responsibility for my part in what happened.”

Originally published as Banned Aussie opener David Warner apologises for role in ball tampering scandal in South Africa