Sydney Thunder set to push for David Warner’s leadership ban to be lifted with Cricket Australia
As Australia searches for a new ODI captain, Sydney Thunder will ask Cricket Australia to lift David Warner’s leadership ban, potentially opening the door for him to replace Aaron Finch.
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A Sydney Thunder push for David Warner to be eligible to captain the Big Bash League team this summer is set to bring the opener’s longstanding leadership ban to a head with Cricket Australia.
Thunder, with the endorsement of Cricket NSW, is understood to be keen for Warner to be a captaincy option in the upcoming BBL season when he arrives mid-tournament following the completion of Australia’s Test series against South Africa.
While the Thunder is unlikely to appoint Warner as full-time skipper on the basis that he would not be available to play until he finishes his national team duties, sources indicated the club would like to be able to call upon Warner in the event the likes of Jason Sangha and Chris Green are unavailable.
It’s understood Thunder and Cricket NSW plan on making a submission to CA in a bid to have the ban lifted.
Thunder is yet to announce a new captain following Usman Khawaja’s off-season move to Brisbane Heat.
Warner, who signed with Thunder last month with the financial backing of CA after being courted by a rival Twenty20 league in the UAE, remains banned from holding an official leadership position with a national team, state or BBL club, having received the heaviest sentence of the trio of players implicated in the Cape Town ball tampering scandal of March, 2018.
The timing of the Thunder push is a subplot in CA’s search for a new Australian one-day international captain following Aaron Finch’s retirement last week.
As it stands, Warner, 35, could not be considered to replace the Victorian, but the Thunder’s desire to open Warner’s eligibility could expedite discussion around whether the left-hander is allowed to captain his country again.
Warner said earlier this week that he would like to discuss his ban with the CA board. CA is on record saying that the board would welcome the chance to discuss Warner’s leadership status with directors, most of whom have been turned over since the sandpaper plot.
“The ban on David being appointed to a leadership position in Australian cricket remains in place,” CA said.
“David has shown strong leadership both on and off field in recent seasons and his decision to play in the BBL for the next two years reflects his ongoing commitment to cricket in Australia. The CA Board welcomes David’s wish to discuss his leadership status with directors and this will be arranged at a convenient time for both parties.”
Warner is expected to meet CA chief Nick Hockley to discuss the matter in the coming weeks.
Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon said last month that his state would seek clarity on the matter.
“We’re yet to receive any notification from CA about the status of the leadership opportunity for David,” Germon said.
“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.”
Finch told Triple M last week that he is keen for Warner to be able to officially lead again.
“Would I like to see [his ban] overturned? Yeah, absolutely,” Finch said.
“What he can offer not just now as a player but going forward for him to be able to coach and help the next generation of players coming through is so important. You do your time, and he has well and truly done that.”
Warner led Australia in a T20 international tri-series shortly before the infamous South African tour where he was deputy to Steve Smith.
Australia does not play another ODI until after the upcoming T20 World Cup; with a three match series against England the next step on the road to the 2023 50-over World Cup in India. It is conceivable that Australia could appoint an interim ODI captain for the England series, such as vice-captain Alex Carey, given the prospect that some players may be rested between the T20 World Cup and the start of the Test summer.
Originally published as Sydney Thunder set to push for David Warner’s leadership ban to be lifted with Cricket Australia
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