David Warner accepts ban handed down by Cricket Australia over ball tampering scandal

DAVID Warner has renewed hope of playing for Australia again after the deposed vice-captain swallowed his punishment and in doing so, allowed the game to breathe a sigh of relief.

David Warner won’t appeal his ball tampering ban.

UPDATE: DAVID Warner has renewed hope of playing for Australia again after the deposed vice-captain swallowed his punishment and in doing so, allowed the game to breathe a sigh of relief.

There were fears Warner could tip the bucket on high profile figures in the game and drag some unwanted skeletons out of the closet if he went to a hearing to challenge the terms of his 12 month suspension and life ban from captaincy.

However, an hour-and-a-half before the CA imposed deadline, Warner notified head office he, like Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, had made the strong decision to cop his sanctions on the chin.

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David Warner won’t appeal his ball tampering ban.

After being fingered as the mastermind, Warner always had the most to gain, but perhaps also the most to lose by engaging lawyers and going to a hearing.

Warner could have dropped a bomb on CA’s entire operations if he was able to provide context to mitigate his role in ball tampering and implicate others higher up the chain.

But he would have almost certainly sealed his own fate in the process, amid predictions by some in the game that he was already on the path to never returning to the baggy green.

Retirement talk from Warner’s initial press conference last Saturday seems to have cooled, and with weapons laid down, the 31-year-old powerhouse opener and Cricket Australia are now talking about the road back.

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.

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) 5 April 2018

Ostracised by sections of the team in the wake of the sandpaper scandal, Warner has pledged his dedication to coming back a better teammate.

“I have today let Cricket Australia know that I fully accept the sanctions imposed on me,” a statement from Warner read.

“I am truly sorry for my actions and will now do everything I can to be a better person, teammate and role model.”

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland expressed confidence that despite the wounds and broken relationships, the trio would play international cricket again.

“The events of Cape Town have severely affected the game,” said Sutherland.

Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft also accepted their bans from Cricket Australia.

“It has also been humbling to be reminded of the passion all Australians have for our great game.

“These are significant penalties for professional cricketers. They were not imposed lightly.

“We know the players will return to playing the game they love, and in doing so, we hope they rebuild their careers and regain the trust of fans.”

It’s understood both Warner and Smith were considering the scope they had to challenge the leadership aspects of their bans, but ultimately decided against it.

Smith will have to wait two years until he’s considered again for a leadership position, while Warner will never get the chance to impart his skipper skills in any capacity in Australia again, despite moves that were going on behind the scenes until recently for him to captain the Twenty20 side to the next World Cup.

Warner’s captaincy life ban includes the Big Bash League, where other senior players like Shane Watson and Brad Hodge have been able to impart significant influence in the twilight of their careers.

The Indian Premier League has come out strongly to put a line through Warner and Smith for this year’s lucrative competition.

However, Cricket Australia would not stand in the way of the players exploring overseas opportunities, including in the IPL, if they can convince overseas boards.

Warner, Smith and Bancroft have been wiped from this year’s contract list, but the big question is whether they can win a deal for next year when they won’t have played any first-class cricket in the lead-up.

Right up until the deadline Warner was considering his legal options.

But the 31-year-old and his family have endured a harrowing time over the past two weeks, with wife Candice still struggling with the devastating fallout.

By copping his penalties, Warner has given himself and Cricket Australia a chance to move on.

Eyes now turn to Cricket Australia and their cultural review, with the likes of Pat Howard and James Sutherland to come under major scrutiny for their role in allowing team culture to deteriorate.

Originally published as David Warner accepts ban handed down by Cricket Australia over ball tampering scandal