Cricket Australia lifts David Warner’s leadership ban over ‘Sandpapergate’ ball-tampering

David Warner leaves the field during a 2016 Chappell-Hadlee match. Photo / Photosport

Cricket Australia has scrapped the lifetime leadership ban on David Warner that was controversially handed down after the Newlands ball-tampering incident.

An independent three-member review panel unanimously determined Warner met the criteria to have his ban overturned after the former test opener appealed to Cricket Australia (CA).

This week, the panel found Warner was genuinely contrite in taking responsibility for the 2018 “Sandpapergate” saga, of which he was considered the architect.

It also gave weight to Warner’s track record mentoring the next generation of cricketers, and his role in fostering interest in the game amongst Australia’s South Asian communities.

The decision scraps the last remaining sanction left over from the chain of events in South Africa and paves the way for Warner to hold a formal leadership role with the BBL’s Sydney Thunder this summer.

Warner had considered lodging an appeal to have his ban overturned in late 2022 after CA changed its code of conduct to allow players to appeal long-term sanctions.

But he ultimately opted not to persist with the appeal at the time, worried that revisiting memories of the 2018 ball-tampering saga would open up old wounds.

CA chief executive Nick Hockley expressed his disappointment with Warner’s decision at the time and was glad he followed through this time.

“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,” Hockley said.