Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley advised David Warner against his social media bombshell on the eve of the Test match, insisting a review of ball-tampering penalties could proceed without reopening old wounds.
Warner’s lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday evening set the stage for a dramatic week in Adelaide, with the first time he attacked the process an independent panel appointed by CA’s integrity commission wanted to take.
The 36-year-old’s concerns centered on the fact that he claimed the review would have been a public trial of the sandpaper events, and CA’s push for the hearing to be held behind closed doors was also rejected .
That prompted players’ union chief Todd Greenberg to say Friday that Warner had no choice but to withdraw his request to lift his ban, fearing a public outcry and more pain for his family and teammates. team
But Hockley rejected that suggestion, stating that while he preferred the hearing to be held in private, it would not have damaged Warner or the team’s reputation if it were aired publicly.
The CA chief argued that Warner would have the opportunity to request that parts of the hearing be held behind closed doors and that it would not have been an inquest at Cape Town 2018.
“I don’t agree with that. I had several options,” Hockley said.
“I could have continued with the process and a request could have been made during the hearing to ask that accredited media not be involved [in parts].
“I could have simply said ‘I’m going to retire, but I’m not going to make a public statement.’
“I said I was concerned that I didn’t want it to hurt any future applications with public feedback.
“But clearly David has felt the need to say some things.”
Hockley also rejected claims the situation had dragged on for nine months, although the players’ union claimed it first approached CA to review Warner’s ban in February.
Instead, the CEO said the timetable was aimed for the review to be completed before Warner returns to the Big Bash with Sydney Thunder in January.
He also defended the fact that his organization could not appeal the ban on Warner’s leadership alone, arguing that an independent group was supported by Sports Integrity Australia guidelines.
“We really wanted to give him a chance to look at the title so he could talk about how he’s grown,” Hockley said.
“The process that has been put in place is adequate.
“It is designed to be fair, transparent. We are disappointed that you have chosen to withdraw your application.”