Australian opener, David Warner, who has been considered as the prime conspirator in the ball-tampering episode by Cricket Australia, has issued his first public statement since the episode which took place during the Cape Town Test. Taking to Instagram, he apologized for “the distress he has caused the sport and its fans”.
Warner’s Instagram post read, “To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologize for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused to the sport and its fans. It’s a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy. I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisors. You will hear from me in a few days.”
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On Thursday, Warner was suspended from international and domestic cricket by CA for one whole year and the Australian board also clarified that from now on Warner will never be considered for any leadership role in Australian cricket. Even, his IPL contract was also canceled for the 2018 edition by BCCI and his personal endorsement deals have also been sacked as the electronics brand LG and kit manufacturer ASICS have ended the ties.
These were the repercussions of the ball-tampering episode that took place on Saturday during the third Test against South Africa at Newlands. The cameras present at the ground captured Australian player Cameron Bancroft rubbing a foreign object on the rough side of the ball. Australian coach Darren Lehmann then sent out a message through 12th man Peter Handscomb to inquire about the mishappening, following which Cameron shoved a yellow object down his trousers, which made the match-officials even more curious about it.
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During the post-day press conference, Bancroft and then skipper Steven Smith acknowledged the failed attempt of ball-tampering with sticky tape and said “the leadership group” had known about the plan beforehand. After an investigation into the matter by CA’s head of integrity, Iain Roy, Warner was found guilty of “development of a plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball and instruction to a junior player to carry out a plan to take steps to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper.”
A day before the sanctions were imposed on the trio, there were reports that the Australian players demanding Warner’s exit from the team and that the CA management was equally keen to see the back of him.
