David Warner retirement: Opener reflects on sandpapergate and leadership ban

David Warner’s career was in tatters after the sandpaper saga in South Africa, but he reveals how he found peace in the aftermath and was able to return 12 months later.

David Warner has declared he has found peace with himself and Australian cricket, despite the turbulent fallout of sandpapergate.

From Ian Chappell to Michael Vaughan, there are an army of ex-greats who maintain the punitive punishments dished out to Warner and Steve Smith over the 2018 scandal in South Africa did not fit the crime and were grossly exaggerated.

Warner copped his 12-month suspension on the chin but was left infuriated last summer when a bid to overturn his lifetime leadership ban was bungled by administrators and cast a shadow over the build-up to his 100th Test.

However, any potential bitterness that might have lingered has been put to one side as Warner said he was determined to continue putting back into Australian cricket and sign a new Big Bash League contract for next season and beyond.

Warner said he didn’t need his leadership ban overturned to know in himself that he is a leader in Australian cricket.

“I’m definitely keen to pursue playing Big Bash next year,” Warner said.

David Warner copped his 12-month suspension on the chin following sandpapergate. Picture: Getty Images

“Look, when I look back at that (botched review of leadership ban) … I think Nick (Cricket Australia chief, Nick Hockley) did his ultimate best to put that forward to the board, and the decision was made.

“I’m happy with that. I’ve moved forward from that.

“… For me, I’ve learned that leadership (isn’t about) wearing captains or vice-captains’ badges.

“It’s about being true to yourself. Setting an example both on and off the field. I think I’m a leader in this team no matter what. I don’t need that C or VC next to my name.”

David Warner has found peace after the sandpapergate saga. Picture: Richard Dobson

Warner has not forgotten the religious inspiration of sorts he received after returning from South Africa in 2018 when his career was in tatters.

“When I left Africa, the first five or six people that came up to me were priests and gave me a card,” Warner recalled.

“Then we went on a holiday to Singapore after that and there was a big Church convention.

“I then sat back and spoke to Candice and said, ‘someone is watching down on us.’

“I just grew strength from there to go back, play grade cricket, and get a sense of that cricket community belief back.

“Canteen ladies, people who run the drinks out, people who take on and off the covers. It was a sense of something I sort of got disconnected with.

“I think a lot of us do because we are in that bubble. But when you go back and see the real people who are really, really working hard, which we did as young kids, that’s what I reflected most upon.

“That’s a lesson I learned.

“… I’ve got no regrets, because you are going to have a lot of hurdles you are going to have to jump.

“There’s going to be obstacles in the way, but you have to move forward and I’ve done that with dignity.

Warner prior to his last Test match in Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I’ve got a lot of passion for the game and it was important from my perspective that I’m giving back. Making sure that I gained the respect back but making sure I’m putting Australian cricket first.

“I want every young kid who wants to play cricket, to dream of playing for Australia. That’s what was really important for me when I came back.”

Warner will begin his commentary career on Fox Cricket next summer, calling the blockbuster Test series against India.

However, he wants to renew his contract with the Big Bash and play on in front of Australian crowds even after his international retirement.

“I would like to play that in and around the commentary stuff for Fox,” Warner said.

“I’ve just got to make sure that I’m, one, playing to the best of my ability and, two, not hindering the team’s performances or upsetting the balance of the team.”\

Originally published as David Warner retirement: Opener reflects on sandpapergate and leadership ban