Cricket Australia sensationally lift David Warner’s lifetime captaincy ban over Sandpapergate scandal

David Warner’s rollercoaster week has continued, with the controversial star receiving some surprising news over his lifetime captaincy ban from Cricket Australia.

David Warner’s lifetime captaincy ban has sensationally been lifted by Cricket Australia.

While he has retired from international cricket, Warner will now be eligible to captain the Big Bash League’s Sydney Thunder.

Warner copped the heftiest ban following the Cape Town ball tampering scandal.

“Cricket Australia’s (CA) Conduct Commission has modified David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban effective immediately,” CA said on Friday.

“In a unanimous decision, the independent three-member Review Panel determined that Warner had met the necessary criteria to have the ban lifted.

“In its decision the panel noted “the respectful and contrite tone of his (Warner’s) responses, as well as the content impressed the Review Panel and led it to the unanimous view that he was sincere and genuine in acknowledging responsibility for the conduct and in his statement that he had extreme remorse for his conduct”.

David Warner was the most heavily punished in the wake of the sandpaper scandal. Picture: AAP

“The panel also considered references citing “the contribution that Mr Warner has made, and can make in the future, towards the development of young cricketers in Australia if they were given the opportunity to be led by Mr Warner, his important continuing role in fostering interest in cricket especially with the South Asian community in Australia and generally.”

CA chief Nick Hockley said: “In 2022 we updated the Code of Conduct to ensure there was a fair and rigorous process in place for all players and player support personnel to have long-term sanctions reviewed.

“I am pleased David has chosen to have his sanction reviewed and that he will be eligible to take up leadership positions in Australian Cricket this summer.”

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Originally published as Cricket Australia sensationally lift David Warner’s lifetime captaincy ban over Sandpapergate scandal