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

David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban has been sensationally overturned by Cricket Australia - but the shock verdict would not have happened without the help of several cricket greats.

Cricket greats including Pat Cummins, Greg Chappell and Kane Williamson provided submissions to help David Warner’s ultimately successful bid to have his lifetime captaincy ban overturned.

Cricket Australia announced on Friday that Warner was free again to hold leadership positions in Australia after a unanimous decision over a three-member review panel decided earlier this month to lift the ban imposed following the ball tampering scandal of 2018.

Though Warner has retired from international cricket - notwithstanding his politely rejected offer to make a comeback at the top of the order this summer - the decision paves the way for the opener to captain the Big Bash League’s Sydney Thunder this summer.

Warner, who turns 38 on Sunday, had received the heaviest sanctions of the the three players penalised for their roles in the Cape Town plot six and a half years ago.

He had sought to have the ban overturned in 2022 before aborting that push amid concerns over the nature of the process.

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

But Warner, in conjunction with Cricket NSW, in recent weeks renewed his appeal process.

As part of Warner’s efforts, he received statements in support from Test captain Cummins, the legendary Chappell, NZ icon Williamson and former Australian women’s skipper Lisa Sthalekar.

“Since 2018, he has acknowledged his responsibility to the game and future generations and stepped up his engagement with communities who play cricket,” Cummins said in his submission.

“David was instrumental in supporting the Australian Cricket Team undertaking the (2022) tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. During these tours his upholding of the spirit of cricket and his respect for the opposition as did his understanding of the importance of those tours for the game. These higher considerations transcended the matches we played in and were felt by the cricket-loving public in those nations.”

David Warner, in his farewell Test last summer, stands alongside his three daughters as well as captain Pat Cummins. Picture: Getty

Chappell said: “David was obviously remorseful and has worked assiduously towards redeeming himself in the eyes of the general public and has excelled in leadership roles elsewhere since the incident. He has shown his dedication to Australian cricket with his commitment since then and has earned the respect of his teammates and most supporters.”

Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland contended that Warner’s change had been authentic.

“There has been a real shift in Dave, his demeanour, how he carries himself. … I’ve also seen a shift in Dave,” Copeland said.

“I’m sure you’re really aware of this, whether it was a conscious decision or not, but how he carries himself on the field is different.

“When he competes in the game it is to win a game of cricket but there is a real difference of behaviour, how he addresses opposition players, how he talks in the media … I guess my reference on the behavioural element since 2018, there are many, many, many examples of it, but a lot of it I have witnessed up close that you can’t fake.

Warner is a changed man, several current and former teammates have vouched. Picture: Getty

“You can’t over that length of time pretend to be something. It’s had a profound impact on him and certain behaviours, if you will, prior to 2018 that Dave was referencing, and yeah the sledging or the you know, other things that might come naturally to professional cricket, there’s been a real line in the sand that that just does not appear anymore with David Warner on a cricket field.”

The independent code of conduct review committee comprised of Alan Sullivan KC, Jeff Gleeson GC and Jane Seawright.

“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,” CA said.

“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.”

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