Cricket Australia has officially overturned the leadership ban imposed on David Warner six-and-a-half years ago. The ban on Warner was imposed following the sandpaper incident in Cape Town back in 2018. This decision also paves the way for Warner to take on a leadership role in the Big Bash League (BBL). David Warner presented his case to a three-member panel earlier this month and the panel unanimously found that Warner had met all criteria to have the ban lifted.
"The respectful and contrite tone of his 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. Mr Warner's conduct and behaviour since the imposition of the sanction has been excellent and he appears to have made a substantial change, one example of which is that he no longer sledges or tries to provoke the opposing team,” CA's statement said.
"The Review Panel is more than satisfied that Mr Warner will not engage in any conduct similar to that which occurred in 2018 which resulted in the sanction and that the sanction has thus had the relevant quality of specific deterrence."
David Warner, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, will now be eligible to lead Sydney Thunder at the BBL. Moreover, Warner is now eligible to take on all leadership roles in all Australia cricket competitions. Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley was pleased.
"I am pleased David has chosen to have his sanction reviewed and that he will be eligible to take up leadership positions in Australian Cricket this summer," Nick Hockley said.