Banned Australian opener David Warner apologises for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, saying he put a “stain on the game he loved as a boy”. Warner was identified as the main plot in the controversial incident which took place on 3rd day of 3rd test match against South Africa at Newlands, leading to one-year bans on him and captain Steve Smith. Both the players were also barred from this year’s IPL.
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“To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket,” Warner said
“I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans. Its a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy.” he added
Warner can still take the field to play club cricket, but he said that he needs time to reassess his future.
“I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days,” he said.
Following Cricket Australia’s investigation into the scandal, it has come to knowledge that former captain Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft knew what they were getting into but it was Warner who developed the “plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball“.
Bancroft, who has been handed a nine-month suspension, was caught using yellow sand paper to tamper the ball.
CA also cleared that Smith still has a chance to captain Australia one year after the end of his ban, but Warner will never be considered for a captaincy role.
All the three accused players(Smith,Bancroft and Warner) have also been ordered to undertake 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket.
However, CA has cleared coach Darren Lehmann of any wrongdoing, insisting that he was aware of the plan hatched by the trio.
(PTI Inputs)
