David Warner and family arrive at Sydney International Airport on March 29. Photo / Getty Images
David Warner and family arrive at Sydney International Airport on March 29. Photo / Getty Images
David Warner will break his silence on his role in the ball tampering plot with a press conference on Saturday morning at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The 31-year-old former vice-captain will answer questions at 1pm NZT about developing, instructing and demonstrating to Cameron Bancroft how to alter the surface ofthe ball using sandpaper during the test against South Africa.
The scandal cost the two men, plus Steve Smith and coach Darren Lehmann, their role in the team and sparked a national shame for Australian cricket fans.
It comes amid reports Warner is taking advice on whether he should challenge the severe 12-month ban handed down by Cricket Australia, which has also prohibited him from taking a leadership role in the game in future.
In another extreme, he could announce his retirement from international cricket altogether, AAP reports.
It comes as Warner is dropped from lucrative deals with brands like Milo and LG, and may be forced to rely on his reported $10 million property portfolio, The Daily Telegraph reports. A source told the newspaper he could still earn millions a year playing in Twenty20 competitions around the world. Smith has also been dropped by Sanitarium for his role in the saga.
David Warner and Cameron Bancroft opening the batting during day 4 of the 3rd Test match at PPC Newlands. Photo / Getty Images
The former vice-captain arrived back in Australia on Thursday evening but copped criticism for opting to release a statement on Twitter rather than address the media as Smith and Bancroft did. Instead, he made a brief statement at Sydney airport with his wife, Candice, and their two daughters by his side.
"At the moment, my priority is to get these kids in bed and rest up and let my mind be clear so I can think and talk to you in a couple of days," Warner said.
On Twitter, he posted a message accepting responsibility and apologising for his part in the scandal.
"I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans," he said.
It follows reports of discord within the team and claims Smith and Warner could not travel on the same plane and were deliberately kept apart.
There has been scant sympathy for Warner from the cricket community with former England captain Michael Vaughan questioning why he took a different approach to the other players. South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis noted it will be "interesting" to hear Warner's thoughts. "This series has been fiery and a lot of the time he has been in the middle of it," du Plessis said, having sent Smith a text message expressing support. Warner will no doubt be asked if there's been previous tampering by the team or if other members knew of last week's plot.
"I thought so, yes," du Plessis said in Johannesburg when asked if he suspected Australia were tampering with the ball at other points in the series.
The highly anticipated comments will cap off a shocking week in Australian cricket that began with all three men in South Africa posting pictures in the sunshine.
"Excited to play at this beautiful ground tomorrow. It's in my top 3 grounds in the world. Can you guess my other 2 favourites? #newlands," an upbeat then-Aussie skipper, Steve Smith wrote.
The next 48 hours will likely prove the toughest in the young players lives after they were caught on camera in a ball tampering plot that shocked Australian fans, saw them vilified by the world's media and ultimately removed the coach, captain and vice-captain from their positions.
Just over a week later, all three had left the country, jeered and stripped of accolades in a sharp contrast from their glamorous former lives, while a lacklustre team was left to take the field for the fourth test.
For Smith at least, the teary press conference appears to have set him on the road to redemption in the eyes of some. Amid messages of "cheat" and accusations of "crocodile dundee tears" from some that have flooded his Instagram page since the scandal broke, many others left supportive posts.
Steve Smith is comforted by his father Peter as he confronts the media on March 29. Photo / Getty Images
"Hey Steve — my partner, family and I have the upmost respect for you. Everyone makes mistakes and this one moment doesn't define you as a person. Stay strong — there are plenty of Australians that are behind you," said one user.
"Your press conference was truly heartbreaking," wrote another. "Yes you made a mistake but your only human and people need to learn to forgive. Ignore the vile evil bullies who live in glass houses! I pray for you and your family Steve. Stay strong."
Another said: "In a world that's seems filled with people who take pleasure in pulling others down, one can only admire how you have faced up to the general public. Your bravery is truly admirable. I am more a fan now than I ever was before. Stay strong Steve Smith, this storm will pass."
