On Thursday, Cricket Australia (CA) chief Kevin Roberts denied explosive revelations about the ball-tampering scandal had isolated David Warner and made it illogical for him to return to the international game. Both Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith have given bombshell interviews in recent days as they re-emerge into public life after the incident in South Africa in March that rattled the sport.
Observers have interpreted their tell-all comments as effectively throwing the schismatic Warner under the bus. Describing the same, former Australian opener Michael Slater said, “In those comments, he has buried Dave Warner.”
Bancroft claimed he went along “to fit in” and because he “didn’t know any better”. Last week Smith also opened up about the incident, distancing himself from the plot while acknowledging that he failed as a captain by turning a blind eye.
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Smith said, “I had the opportunity to stop it at that point rather than say, ‘I don’t want to know anything about it’.”
On the other hand, Roberts said the timing of the interviews wasn’t ideal, given they have overshadowed the crucial third Test against India, with the series tied 1-1. But he denied Bancroft and Warner impacted Warner’s chance of being brought back into the Australian fold.
Talking to SEN sports radio in Melbourne, Roberts said, “I don’t know if it does (make it harder for Warner). Our focus is to work with Dave, who I spoke to about three days ago, on his integration plan when he is eligible for selection again. Our focus is on how we proactively look forward and work with the players, rather than be concerned with what has happened in the past.”
CA chief also questioned whether anything new came out of the interviews, given an investigation had previously pointed to Warner as the mastermind and he had acknowledged responsibility for his part.
ALSO READ: Smith Remarks The Ball-Tampering Scandal As His Leadership Failure
Meanwhile, Darren Lehmann, who was the coach at the time but decided to gave up his job said Bancroft should have talked to him or other staff if he felt suffocated by the pressure. Talking to Macquarie Sports Radio, Lehmann said, “Yeah he could’ve and should’ve come to us. At the end of the day it was a mistake — we know that. A severe mistake made by the guys and a lot of people have suffered one way or the other through that. We know it shouldn’t have happened, but it did.”
Smith and Warner were banned for a year from international and domestic cricket while Bancroft was suspended for nine months. He is due to make his return this weekend. Warner is yet to respond to the latest revelations and former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist urged the southpaw to give his side of the story.
Gilchrist said, “There’s no doubt Davey Warner would be feeling so isolated at the moment. I would encourage Dave to come out wherever and just be honest and as open as you need to be to get back to playing cricket.”
