IND vs AUS: David Warner gets a historic relief from Cricket Australia before Border-Gavaskar Trophy

In a bold move, Cricket Australia (CA) has lifted the lifetime leadership ban from David Warner after the former opener avoided sledging and provoking opponents, along with taking responsibility for his role in the 2018 sandpaper scandal in South Africa.

David Warner recently met with a three-member panel to request for the lifetime leadership ban to be lifted. The former left-handed batter was involved in the ball-tampering incident in Newlands back in 2018 along with his teammates Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft.

David Warner set for leadership comeback in BBL after Cricket Australia (CA) lifts ban

While Smith and Warner were handed a 12-month ban from the actions, Bancroft was banned for nine months for their role in the ball-tampering saga. However, Bancroft and Smith escaped from the captaincy bans, but Warner was seen as mainly guilty and was handed the lifetime leadership ban.

But the former opener’s behavior and on-field actions convinced Cricket Australia (CA) to lift the leadership ban. Now, with the captaincy ban lifted, David Warner would be able to captain the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL) this season, and this move is welcomed by Cricket NSW and Thunder's management.

Before his leadership ban, David Warner had served as captain of the Sydney Thunder at the Big Bash League (BBL). He attended the recent hearing with Trent Copeland, his longtime teammate from New South Wales, and the review panel is more than satisfied with some specific behaviors.

Pat Cummins and Andrew McDonald support David Warner's captaincy comeback

Trent Copeland stated that there has been a real shift in Warner, his demeanor, and how he carries himself. Copeland added that the Sandpaper-gate scandal had had a profound impact on him and certain behaviors, like the sledging or the other things that just do not appear anymore.

Australia’s ODI and Test captain Pat Cummins and Australia's coach Andrew McDonald submitted written statements where they backed Warner's appeal to lift the captaincy ban, along with former Test player Greg Chappell. Apart from them, New Zealand star Kane Williamson also offered his support to his former IPL teammate.

'The review panel is more than satisfied with Warner'

Meanwhile, a statement released by panelists Alan Sullivan, KC, Jeff Gleeson, KC, and Jane Seawright read: “Warner’s conduct and behavior 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 statement further reads: “The review panel is more than satisfied that Mr. Warner will not engage in any conduct similar to that which occurred in 2018 and resulted in the sanction and that the sanction has thus had the relevant quality of specific deterrence.”

CA CEO Nick Hockley welcomes the review panel's move

On the other hand, Cricket Australia (CA) CEO, Nick Hockley, stressed that Warner should be allowed to lead again, especially after the changes made to the code of conduct review process as a result of the Sandpapergate scandal.

Nick Hockley stated: “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. 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."