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Australia's stylish batter David Warner got a big relief after six years. In 2018, Cricket Australia imposed a lifetime leadership ban on David Warner for not being able to captain the team at any level because of the sandpaper scandal. But now he got relief from this and Cricket Australia has taken a big step and lifted the lifetime ban on his leadership. Although Warner has retired from international cricket, he still plays in T20 leagues around the world. With the removal of this ban, he can be seen leading the Sydney Thunder team in the upcoming season of BBL.
"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," the panel stated. "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.
"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."
After the ball-tampering incident in Cape Town, Warner, who was the vice-captain at the time, was identified as the key instigator of the plan. He received a lifetime ban from leadership positions and a one-year suspension from cricket. Steve Smith, the captain, faced a one-year ban and a 12-month captaincy suspension, while Cameron Bancroft was banned for nine months.
Warner initially appealed the leadership ban but withdrew it in 2022, expressing frustration over the inquiry's handling. He later announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket, with the 2024 T20 World Cup marking his final appearance for Australia.
"In 2022 we updated the Code of Conduct to ensure there was a fair and rigorous process in place for all players and player support personnel to have long-term sanctions reviewed," Nick Hockley, CA's Chief Executive Officer, said on Friday (October 25). "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."
During the recent hearing, Warner was supported by Trent Copeland, the general manager of Sydney Thunder and a former teammate from their NSW and Australian days. The panel also received written references from current Test captain Pat Cummins, head coach Andrew McDonald, former captain Greg Chappell, and Lisa Sthalekar, the former women's team skipper and president of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations.
Additionally, the three-member committee heard from Kane Williamson, who played alongside Warner at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, as he sent a letter of support.
