David Warner hits sandpaper scandal panel for six

An angry David Warner has stormed away from an appeal process that could have seen his lifetime leadership ban lifted, ­saying he would not be part of a ‘public lynching’, on the same day Steve Smith was recalled as Australian captain.

David Warner alleges that counsel assisting the independent panel made ‘offensive’ comments. Picture: AAP

An angry David Warner has stormed away from an appeal process that could have seen his lifetime leadership ban lifted, ­saying he would not be part of a “public lynching”, on the same day Steve Smith was recalled as Australian captain.

Smith, who received a two-year leadership ban over the same sandpaper incident in South Africa in 2018, replaces an injured Pat Cummins for the second successive Test at the Adelaide Oval.

David Warner bats for Australia last week in the First Test match against the West Indies at in Perth. Picture: Getty Images

In a statement released on the eve of the Test, Warner said he did not want to put his family through another public humiliation, and was also conscious of the ­effect it would have on the team.

“They want to conduct a public spectacle to, in the panel’s words, have a ‘cleansing’,” his statement reads. “I am not prepared for my family to be the washing ­machine for cricket’s dirty laundry. My family is more important to me than cricket.”

Warner’s wife Candice was caught up in the events of 2018 and publicly humiliated before and after the scandal. The couple have three young children.

The controversy, which follows a flare-up over Justin Langer’s removal as coach on the eve of the Perth match, is another distraction the game does not need.

Australian captain Steve Smith speaks to the media at the Adelaide Oval ahead of the second cricket Test match against the West Indies in Adelaide on December 7, 2022. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Last month, Cricket Australia announced an independent process to review Warner’s lifetime ban for his involvement in the sandpaper affair. But the wheels appear to have fallen off the process aimed at healing the scars.

“It appears the panel has given no more than passing consideration to issues of player welfare and the interests of Aus­tralian cricket and is instead determined to conduct a public lynching,” Warner’s statement reads.

“Regrettably, I have no practical alternative at this point in time but to withdraw my application. I am not prepared to subject my family or my teammates to further trauma and disruption by ­accepting a departure from the way in which my application should be dealt with pursuant to the Code of Conduct. Some things are more important than cricket.”

David Warner says he does not want to put his family through another public humiliation. Picture: Getty Images

A directions hearing last Tuesday is understood to have become heated when the counsel assisting, who was appointed by the independent commissioners, insisted the hearing be public and re-examine the 2018 matters.

Cricket Australia and Warner’s counsel objected but the commissioners accepted the outside advice. Counsel assisting the commission allegedly said the ­objection to re-examining matters that had already been looked at four years before indicated a lack of remorse by Warner.

The lawyer assisting the commission was withdrawn from the process following the directions hearing. Warner alleges counsel assisting the panel assembled for the hearing had made “offensive” comments in the process.

The initial investigation was conducted in private and the evidence heard has been closely guarded ever since.

Cricket Australia said it was “disappointed” by the outcome and stressed that Warner was a “highly regarded member” of the Australian team who has been a “great ambassador for the game”.

“We supported David’s wish for these discussions to be heard behind closed doors and respect his decision to withdraw,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Warner had letters of support from senior people in Australian cricket for his ban to be lifted.