David Warner fronts the media at the height of the ball-tampering scandal.Credit:Getty
Inthe rewritten code of conduct,consideration 10.8.3 will stand out like a neon sign to the decision-makers,who will be three of Cricket Australia’s current commissioners:Alan Sullivan,Robert Heath,Adrian Anderson,Jane Seawright and Leon Zwier.
“Whether the player or player support personnel acknowledges responsibility for the conduct that constituted the original offence the subject of the long-term sanction and demonstrates genuine remorse for that conduct.”
Warner,of course,has more than “done his time”,in the words ofthe former South African captain Faf du Plessis. He completed 100 hours of community service during his year-long ban from top-level cricket in Australia,and can report a spotless disciplinary record since he returned for the 2019 World Cup and Ashes tour.
With his management and the Australian Cricketers Association,Warner is working out what should be put into the written application that will start the process. The subsequent hearing can be held in person or via video link and is likely to be private.
Those close to Warner,spoken to byThe Age andThe Sydney Morning Herald,have outlined the fact that his best avenue in discussing reasons for the removal of his ban from captaincy is a forward-facing one.
Taking the focus away from South Africa,Warner would be on solid ground speaking about some of the lessons he’s learnt and how he’s become a much better leader now than perhaps he was five years ago as Steve Smith’s deputy. And to argue it would be to the detriment of the game if he wasn’tgiven another opportunity to lead.
Whether for the Sydney Thunder or potentially Australia,there will be great opportunities he can provide to younger players in all formats if he’s given the chance. If the focus is on the penalty and the penalty alone,that will be a much less tricky thing to discuss.