“I’m Always Happy To Sit Down And Have A Chat” – David Warner Keen On Captaincy Talks After Aaron Finch's Retirement

Star Australia National Cricket Team opening batsman David Warner has expressed his desire to once again lead Australia in international cricket and he is open to meeting with Cricket Australia (CA) officials to discuss the leadership matter.

In March 2018, during the third Test match of the series between Australia and South Africa at the Newlands in Cape Town, Australian player Cameron Bancroft was caught by television cameras trying to rough up one side of the ball with sandpaper.

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Then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were found to be involved in the ball-tampering scandal, famously known as the Sandpapergate scandal, and they received unprecedented sanctions from Cricket Australia (CA).

Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months each from international and domestic cricket while Cameron Bancroft was banned for 9 months. Also, both Smith and Warner were stripped of all leadership entitlements with Smith, who is currently Australia’s Test vice-captain, receiving a two-year leadership ban and Warner receiving a lifetime leadership ban.

Meanwhile, Warner said that his re-appointment as captain is in the hands of Cricket Australia. He added that he is currently focusing on his game and trying to put his best foot forward for the team.

“The man next to me is the key, he’s the Test captain. I’m sure he gets the first opportunity,” Warner said as he stood beside Cummins at Kayo’s summer of cricket launch at the SCG on Tuesday, as quoted by WA Today.

“Any opportunity you get asked to captain, it’s a privilege. For my circumstances, that’s in Cricket Australia’s hands. I can only concentrate on what I have to do and that’s using the bat and trying to score as many runs as I can.

“My phone’s here [if CA want to call for a talk about leadership]. What’s done is done in the past. The good thing is there is a new board that has come along. I’m always happy to sit down and have a chat, and talk about anything they need to talk about. I’m just happy, enjoying my cricket and putting my best foot forward for the team.”

Notably, the Cricket Australia officials are prepared to reassess the lifetime leadership ban imposed on Warner.

It’s not our decision to make but David Warner is always a fantastic leader around the team – Pat Cummins

Australia National Cricket Team Test captain Pat Cummins is looked at as one of the players who can lead the side in ODI cricket after Finch’s retirement. However, the pacer has said that he has not yet thought about leading the side in ODI cricket.

“If you were going to do all the formats and every game, I don’t think that’s realistic. Especially as a fast bowler, I think you do need to find windows to rest. I think you could manage that as well,” Cummins said.

“It’s not something I’ve really thought about, to be honest. We’ll wait and see. I’m really happy being a member of and captaining the Test side. I don’t think there needs to be any rush on that decision.”

He also backed “fantastic leader” Warner to take over as skipper in ODIs.

“It’s not our decision to make but Davey is always a fantastic leader around the team. He makes my job as a captain very easy. I don’t know the first thing about batting so having guys like Davey there to look after that is great.”

Notably, Aaron Finch, who was appointed as the skipper in April 2019, officially retired from ODI cricket after the 3-0 whitewash over New Zealand in Cairns. However, the 35-year-old will be available to lead his side in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 at home next month.

Also Read: “He’s An Unbelievable Tactical Captain”– Aaron Finch Throws His Weight Behind David Warner To Captain Australia In ODIs

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