David Warner, the former vice-captain of Australian cricket, addressed a press conference on Saturday (March 31) where he took full responsibility on his part in Sandpaper Gate.
“I’m here to take full responsibility for my part in this. It’s extremely regrettable, I’m sorry. I just want to move on from this. I do realise that I’m responsible for my own actions and the consequences that that brings,” he said.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that I won’t be taking to the field with my teammates that I love and have let down. Right now it is hard to know what comes next but first and foremost is the wellbeing of my family. I have let you down badly. I hope in time I can find a way to repay you for all you’ve given me and possibly earn your respect again. To my teammates and support staff, I apologise for my actions, and I take full responsibility for my part in what happened on day three of the Newlands Test,” he added.
Warner was banned by Cricket Australia for one year along with Steven Smith while Cameron Bancroft was handed a ban of nine months.
Warner, though, was given an additional punishment, as he will not be considered for captaincy post in future. The doors for Smith and Bancroft for this post will be open after 24 months.
The ban will see Warner and Smith missing the upcoming season of IPL, where they will also miss out fat pay cheques. Also, Bancroft’s contract with Somerset has also been terminated.
Warner, during the press conference, further said there is just a tiny ray of playing for Australia again,
“To all Australians, whether you’re a cricket fan or not, I apologise for my actions. I’m sorry for the impact those actions have had on our country’s reputation. I can honestly say I have only ever wanted to bring glory to my country by playing cricket. In striving to do so, I have made a decision which has had an opposite effect, and it’s one that I’ll regret for as long as I’ll live. There’s a tiny ray of hope that I may one day be given the privilege of playing country again, but I’m resigned to the fact that that may never happen again.”
Warner had faced much wrath after the findings of the Cricket Australia. It was Warner who was tipped to be the chief plotter in the saga, and he was found to be the one who instructed Bancroft to tamper the ball.
It later got reported he was partying with his friends in South Africa after all fiasco took place. In fact, he also left the Whatsapp group of Australian cricket team.
The Aussie players were unpleased with his behaviour and asked the management to shift Warner from the same place. The Aussie vice-captain was not on the same flight, as Smith to Australia and landed separately.
The difference between Warner and his teammates are out, and Warner might find it difficult to make a comeback to international cricket.
Smith and Bancroft always have a chance to make a comeback smoothly – with no member opposing their return to the national side.
Read the full transcripts from the Warner, Smith, Bancroft & Lehmann press conferences here: https://t.co/CsxflxQyCo pic.twitter.com/iqSoge4MUk
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 31, 2018
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