David Warner apology: Former vice-captain’s credibility questioned over ball-tampering mea culpa

Cricketer quizzed over whether taunts aimed at wife spurred ball tampering decision as his account is questioned.

Dumped Australian cricket vice-captain David Warner has vowed to seek help to make “serious changes” in his life after refusing to discuss whether taunts aimed at his wife in South Africa had spurred his decison to tamper with the ball.

Warner made a tearful public apology in Sydney this morning, but has come under attack over the “credibility” of his performance at the press conference — labelled “disastrous” and too highly stage-managed. He would not answer key questions about whether he had dreamed up the ball-tampering plan, who else knew about it, or whether he had done it before.

Just hours after fronting the media, supported by his sobbing wife Candice and celebrity publicist Roxy Jacenko, Warner was forced to defend himself again on social media over the many “unanswered questions” that have failed to put the scandal to rest.

“I know there are unanswered questions and lots of them. I completely understand,” Warner wrote in a series of Tweets just two hours after breaking down in tears in front of the cameras.

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

“In time I will do my best to answer them all. But there is a formal CA process to follow.

“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.

“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.”

Warner’s 12-month ban has already cost him millions of dollars in lost sponsorships, match fees and a lucrative IPL contract. He broke down while speaking about the impact on his career prospects and his wife and two young daughters.

“In the coming weeks and months, I’m going to look at how this happened and who I am as a man,” he said.

“I will seek out advice and expertise to help me make serious changes.”

A sobbing Candice Warner is comforted by her publicist Roxy Jacenko during the press conference.

Asked whether South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock’s remarks about his wife and other taunts from sections of the hostile crowds played a part in his decision to engage in ball tampering, Warner said: “It’s tough for me to talk about where my thought space was on that day given the circumstances that happened in Durban but I’m here to take full responsibility of my actions of the part that I played on day three in Newlands.

“I am extremely sorry and I really, really regret it. It’s a decision that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

The 10-minute press conference at Cricket NSW headquarters was quickly cut short. Reaction was swift and not always sympathetic, with many pundits wondering who was advising him to keep quiet.

That was an unmitigated disaster. David Warner just dumped Cricket Australia right in it.. #SandpaperGate

— Stuart Henderson (@HendersStu) March 31, 2018

That was an unmitigated disaster. David Warner just dumped Cricket Australia right in it.. #SandpaperGate

— Stuart Henderson (@HendersStu) March 31, 2018

Bancroft, Smith and Warner press conferences.
All dressed identically, all sorry, all 'will regret for rest of their lives.'
But none revealed what happened, why they did it and whether other players involved.

— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) March 31, 2018

Veteran sports commentator Caroline Wilson said despite a similarly heartfelt apology as Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith, Warner’s appeared to lack credibility.

“Dave Warner is equally distraught, equally heartbroken as Bancroft and Smith,” Wilson told Radio 3AW.

“I was just so sorry that he chose to take questions but refused to answer any afterwards.

“It took away the credibility because it suddenly sounded scripted.

“To continue to say ‘I take responsibility for my part in this’. Why did he keep saying ‘My part in this’? I think most of Australia blames Dave Warner and wanted answers and I don’t know why he wouldn’t give any.

“It made me wonder whether Dave Warner was still in the (cricket) bubble.”

Warner and Smith have been banned for 12 months over their roles in the ball-tampering incident while young batsman Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.

Warner said today he “accepted my responsibility for my involvement’’ and was “deeply sorry’’ and would do everything he could to earn back the respect of the Australian public.

The conference at Cricket NSW was ended after little more than 10 minutes and questions from the media were cut short.

Warner, in saying his international career could be over because of his role in cricket’s ball-tampering scandal, 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.”

David Warner press conference has finished. He did not directly answer questions around whether anyone other than he, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were involved. MORE HERE: https://t.co/aEk2D3V22q pic.twitter.com/4Wc4qSbqMT

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 31, 2018

Warner said he took responsibility for his actions but he did not say if he was the chief architect or if other teammates were involved in the decision to use sandpaper on the ball, which made the ball less predictable for opposing batsmen.

“I am here to talk about the part I played in this. It’s inexcusable. I am sorry,” Warner said.

Asked if retirement was an option, Warner said: “That’s something that I will continue to sit down with my family and weigh up all my considerations before I make any decisions.”

David Warner on whether others were involved: I am here to accept my role and responsibility for what happened in Cape Town. It's inexcusable.

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 31, 2018

Warner’s conference was ended when he was asked if he was being singled out as the mastermind of the scandal.

Asked if retirement was an option, Warner, 31, said: “That’s something that I will continue to sit down with my family and weigh up all my considerations before I make any decisions.” Warner, in saying he took responsibility for his actions, added: “To all Australians, whether you’re a cricket fan or not, I apologise for the impact those actions have had on our country’s reputation.

“I’ve only ever wanted to bring glory to my country through playing cricket. I failed in my responsibilities as vice-captain of the Australian cricket team.”

He repeatedly deflected questions about whether any teammates outside himself, Smith or Bancroft knew of the plan or whether he had tampered with the ball on previous occasions.

“I am here to talk about the part I played in this. It’s inexcusable. I am sorry,” Warner said.

He indicated he had accepted Cricket Australia’s 12-month ban and said he supported the governing body’s probe into the culture of the Australian team.

When asked if he was surprised by the furore that had erupted and whether he had misjudged the mood of the nation, Warner said: “I’m not surprised at all. We let our country down. It was a bad decision, I played my part in that.

“It’s going to take a long time to earn respect back from the Australia public. It’s really hard to sit here today seeing my friends and my family playing in South Africa at the moment in this fourth Test that I wish I was a part of.”

A Cricket Australia investigation found Warner hatched the sandpaper plot with Bancroft — not Smith — but the decorated skipper failed to intervene and later lied about it.

Warner held his media conference on Saturday morning for the first time since the ball-tampering scandal that claimed his Australian cricket team vice-captaincy.

David Warner embraces his wife Candice ahead of his press conference.

Warner earlier issued a statement on social media about his involvement in the scandal before speaking briefly to reporters when he flew into Sydney from South Africa this week.

It has been speculated Warner, Smith and/or Bancroft may appeal against the lengthy Cricket Australia bans for their roles in the ball-tampering affair that has rocked the cricketing world. But Warner said nothing on that in his Saturday remarks.

Warner arrived home in Sydney, supported by his wife Candice and intent on getting his two young daughters to bed, Warner stopped briefly to talk to journalists upon his near-midnight airport arrival.

Warner’s press conference was a PR disaster. CA have handled it like amateurs. It was a concocted interview that left so many questions unanswered.

— Peter Le Grand (@legrandracing) March 31, 2018

“As you can understand, it’s been a tough and an emotional time for my wife and the kids,” Warner said when asked if he’d heard about coach Darren Lehmann quitting.

“At this present time, you’ll hear from me in a couple of days.

“At the moment, my priority is to get these kids in bed and rest up and let my mind be clear so I can think and talk to you in a couple of days.”

Earlier he issued a statement on social media while en route back from South Africa after being handed a 12-month ban alongside Steve Smith for his role in the scandal.

This is a ridiculous press conference by Warner, who is hiding behind soundbites. Does not even answer question of whether he has cheated before.

— Oliver Brown (@oliverbrown_tel) March 31, 2018

“Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket,” Warner wrote. “I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it.

“I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans. “It's a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy. I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days.”

- with AAP

David Warner pictured in the window of his Sydney hotel suite on Friday.

David Warner and his family leave the airport after arriving back in Sydney. Picture: AFP