AUS vs WI: "Banning Someone For Life From Leadership Is Just Fundamentally Wrong"- Steve Smith On David Warner's Lifetime Leadership Ban

Australian batsman Steve Smith has come out in support of David Warner after his captaincy fiasco with Cricket Australia. Steve Smith feels David Warner’s lifetime captaincy ban is fundamentally wrong and has backed the opener to regain his batting form. The middle-order batsman served his punishment and returned as captain, leading Australia to victory over the West Indies in the second Test.

Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for a year following the ball-tampering controversy in South Africa, but the leadership bans imposed on the two players were vastly different. Smith received a two-year leadership ban, while Warner received a lifetime ban.

Warner had recently requested that Cricket Australia lift his leadership ban, but he withdrew his request after the panel wanted a public investigation, which would have a negative impact on his family.

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It’s Been A Difficult One For Him – Steve Smith

Steve Smith believes David Warner is still the leader of the group on and off the field. Speaking to reporters on Sunday afternoon after Australia defeated the West Indies in the second Test, Smith said that the team is in full support of Warner.

“From my point of view, banning someone for life from leadership is just fundamentally wrong. David served his time like I did. For us, we know he’s a leader around the group, and on and off the field he’s doing a tremendous job,” Smith told reporters on Sunday.

“It’s been a difficult one for him, it’s been a difficult week. David has said he’s done and dusted (with the review) and wants to get on with it. He’s got our full support. Hopefully, he can have a really big series for us against South Africa with the bat,” he said.

Davey’s A Once In A Generation Player – Steve Smith

Steve Smith has stated that things are not going well for David Warner, who has been unlucky with the bat recently. He termed the batsman a once-in-a-lifetime talent and one of the best cricketers in the world.

“Davey’s a once-in-a-generation player, he’s arguably the best-ever opener for Australia. The way he’s able to put pressure on bowlers from the outset helps everyone down the order as well,” he added.

“He’s been an incredible player for a long period of time, his record suggests that. There’s no reason why he can’t have a big series for us coming this week as well. He’s batting nicely. He hasn’t had a great deal of luck lately either, it seems like every time he gets an inside edge, it goes onto the stumps. A lot of the time when you’re scoring runs you need some luck,” Smith said.

Also read: Former New South Wales State Premier Mike Baird Becomes Cricket Australia Chair After Lachlan Henderson Stepped Down

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