Warner alienated by captain pick

The decision to appoint Pat Cummins as captain of the one-day side is understandable but the timing and the process threatens to again alienate David Warner.

David Warner has been let down by the slow process of overturning his leadership ban Picture: Getty Images

The decision to appoint Pat Cummins as captain of the one-day side is understandable but the timing and the process threatens to again alienate David Warner.

Selectors decided to push ahead with appointing Cummins and the Cricket Australia board ratified its move, despite launching a review on Friday which is expected to remove a lifetime leadership ban on Warner that has been widely criticised.

The decision to appoint Cummins was a “no-brainer”, according to chief selector George Bailey, but it might be argued that not letting Warner build up his hopes may have fallen into a ­similar category.

The former national vice-captain has been on the record endorsing the current Test captain for the job, but had been encouraged to dream that his impeccable behaviour since the ban would result in filling the vacant position.

There is no ODI match scheduled until mid-November but the selectors defended their decision to make an early call.

“I think there has been a lot of speculation and conjecture around the position,” Bailey said.

“On the doorstep of a World Cup I think it’s easier to just announce it and then move on from that. It’s a tough tournament, you want guys focused on that.

“David’s leadership within the group is fantastic, titled or not. It’s highly respected.

“I think it’s a credit to David that a number of people externally who are now saying it’s a no-brainer that he should hold a leadership position were, 18 months, two years ago, some of the strongest advocates for him having a life ban. It’s a credit to David that he has worked on himself. Internally, I can’t speak ­highly enough of what he brings to the group – as do a number of players.”

Bailey admitted that Cummins was unlikely to take the field for every match and said that senior players – presumably Steve Smith, Alex Carey and Warner if cleared – would fill the gaps.

“We are moving away from this concept of a captain taking over and their leadership being all encompassing,” Bailey said.

“Pat used the word the other day – it’s a collaboration at times. It’s one of Pat’s great strengths that he’s a collaborative leader.

“We’ve been really clear with not just with Pat but all our multi-format players that we will continue to manage them across all formats. We’re very clear on ­prioritising key series.

“I also think we’ve got a number of players who can assume the leadership should they need to.

“I don’t expect to see Pat play every one-day game in the lead-in to the World Cup, so I expect that we might see two or three guys take the leadership for a game at some stage.”

The decision to ban Warner for life has not sat comfortably with many in cricket and the decision to review the ban has had wide support.

The Australian Cricketers Association approached Cricket Australia in February and the Sydney Thunder in August after Warner had rejected a better offer to play in the UAE and signed with the Big Bash. It was a critical move for the tournament which is in competition for big signings.

Warner has got on with life without complaint after the sandpaper affair and kept his nose clean, if he felt unfairly treated he has never said.

Selectors say that when Cummins changed his mind about doing the job they knew the course they would take, but it is a ­further blow to Warner.