Doors opened for David Warner to apply against lifetime leadership ban

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced changes to its Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, opening the doors for David Warner to have his lifetime leadership ban overturned.

Warner was banned from all captaincy positions after the sandpaper scandal in South Africa in 2018.

Following the Cape Town Test, Warner was suspended for 12 months and a life-time ban was imposed on him for holding any leadership position. The then skipper Steve Smith was also outed for 12 months, with an additional 12 month leadership ban, while Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months.

Jacqui Partridge, CA’s head of integrity, conducted the review after a request from the board.

“Under the changes, players and support staff can now apply to have long-term sanctions modified,” CA said in a statement.

“Any applications will be considered by a three-person review panel, comprising independent Code of Conduct commissioners, which must be satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist to justify modifying a sanction.”

According to CA, a number of factors will be taken into consideration if Warner applies for lifting his ban.

“These circumstances and considerations will include whether the subject of the sanction has demonstrated genuine remorse; the subject’s conduct and behaviour since the imposition of the sanction; whether rehabilitation programs have been undertaken (if applicable) and the length of time that has passed since the sanction was imposed and whether sufficient time has passed to allow for reform or rehabilitation,” it said.

The 35-year-old Warner has admitted he wants to have his leadership ban overturned and will be happy to have a chat with the board members.

“There is talk that I might be able to have a chat to the integrity unit. If that’s possible I’m happy to sit down with them and chew the fat a little bit and see where we’re at,” said the opening batter.

“If it does get overturned then we have to go from there. For me I’m a leader in this team no matter what. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a ‘c’ or a ‘vc’ next to your name. You’ve got to put your best foot forward and lead by example,” he added.