Australian opener David Warner has said that he is ready to have an ‘honest conversation’ with Cricket Australia officials in order to see whether his lifetime ban on captaincy can be overturned. He also added that it was for the CA to reach out and open the doors to discuss things.
Warner was banned from a leadership role in the aftermath of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in the Cape Town Test, as it was revealed that he was the main instigator. While Steve Smith, the then captain, and Warner were banned for one year each and Smith removed from captaincy, the right-hander is back as vice-captain of the Test team.
However, several former and current players, including Test skipper Pat Cummins, have called for Warner's life ban to end.
"That hasn't really been brought to the table. As I've said plenty of times off the record, it's upon the board to reach out to me and open their doors. Then I can sit down and have an honest conversation with them,” Warner was quoted saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Also involved in the scandal was Cameron Bancroft, who had used the sandpaper to change the condition of the ball, and he was banned for eight months.
The 35-year-old Warner will feature in the Big Bash League for the first time since 2013 after signing a two-year deal with the Sydney Thunder.
The captaincy ban issue came forth as Thunder has a vacant captaincy spot with Usman Khawaja moving to Brisbane Heat and Warner has led teams previously, especially in the IPL.
"I've got the experience, I'm a leader in the side anyway without having a title. That's what I'm about, giving back, so if they (younger players) can pick my brains in any way, my phone is always there, they have my number, and they can see me when I'm at the practice facilities," he said.
(PTI inputs)
