Candice Warner, the wife of dynamic Australian opener David Warner, has hit out at Cricket Australia (CA) for the “injustice” served to her husband in the form of the lifetime leadership ban, that was imposed on him in the aftermath of the 2018 ‘Sandpaper’ scandal in Cape Town.
Both deputy Warner and the then-captain Steve Smith were banned to play for a year. And while Smith was suspended from taking up a leadership role for two years, Warner was banned from any such role for the rest of his career.
After Smith’s leadership ban ended, he was named the deputy to Cummins and even captained Australia in the Adelaide Ashes Test last year when the seamer was ruled out for that Test. However, Warner’s leadership ban continues and he hasn’t led at any level since.
Candice says David Warner could captain in other franchise leagues
Pointing out Warner’s terrific record as Australia’s interim captain between 2016 to 2018 – when Smith was unavailable, Warner led Australia in 12 white-ball matches, losing only 1 – and his success at the IPL as SRH’s skipper, Candice said that her husband has been met with “injustice” from the board.
“I think out of nine or 10 games he’s only lost one as captain. Yeah, it bothers me. I don’t like injustice, so it does bother me. My job wasn’t to question my husband, it was about supporting David at that time,” said Candice while speaking to Triple M/
“David has an unbelievable T20 record in India, and in Australia, he is considered one of our greatest ever.”
Earlier, Australia Test captain Pat Cummins has supported calls for Warner’s leadership ban to be scrapped and has also even been reportedly pressurizing the CA to overturn the ban. BBL franchise Sydney Sixers‘ coach Greg Shipperd further urged the CA to allow Warner to at least lead in domestic cricket, for, he added, someone like Warner is a natural leader and now only without the tag.
Candice Warner concurred, saying that lifting David’s captaincy ban will allow him to lead in other franchise leagues as well.
“Whether the ban is lifted or not, if he competes at Big Bash, it is a decision we discuss what is best for the family at this time. Additionally, there is another league playing in the UAE that is financially far wealthier. Lifting Dave’s prohibition is important, but it is also important for our family’s welfare. And Dave has simply accepted his current ban,” Candice explained.
