David Warner has unloaded on the process of trying to overturn his leadership ban, pulling out after accusing the review committee of trying to turn it into “a public lynching” that would make him and the his family in “cricket’s washing machine”.
The former Australian vice-captain released a lengthy statement on his social media accounts claiming the independent group had made “offensive” comments during the process.
He also claimed the panel wanted “a public trial against me and what happened during the third Test at Newlands”, when the ball-tampering saga took place.
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“They want to make a public spectacle of, in the words of the Panel, having a ‘cleansing.’ I am not prepared for my family to be the washer of the cricket’s dirty laundry,” he wrote.
“The Panel appears to have given more than cursory consideration to player welfare issues and the interests of Australian cricket and is determined to carry out a public lynching.
“Unfortunately, I have no practical alternative at this time but to withdraw my application. I am not prepared to subject my family or my colleagues to further trauma and disruption by accepting a deviation from the way in which the my request in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
“Some things are more important than cricket.”
Warner’s wife Candice commented on his Instagram post adding “Now is not the time” and “Family first”, while Marcus Stoinis posted a heart in apparent support for his Australian teammate.
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FULL STATEMENT FROM DAVID WARNER
“My family is more important to me than cricket.
“For the past five years since the events that happened during the Third Test in Cape Town, even with all the humiliation and attacks they have had to endure, I have enjoyed the unwavering support and love of my wife Candice and my three daughters, Ivy Mae, Indi Rae and Isla Rose They are my world.
“Since that test and although my ban from leadership roles will never be lifted, I have taken it upon myself to reform, rehabilitate and transform my approach to the game.
“I have served and been the subject of overwhelming, unprecedented punishment that has horribly affected me and my family for the past five years, with no prospect of relief until now.
“On 21 November 2022, Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel (the Code of Conduct) was amended to allow players to apply for a variation to long-term sanctions.
“With the announcement of the amendment to the Code of Conduct, I was hopeful and encouraged that I would have an adequate opportunity to demonstrate to the Review Committee that I have demonstrated my deep regret and remorse; and that my rehabilitation and transformation are profound.
“With the encouragement of administrators and colleagues and in accordance with the rules of the Code of Conduct, on 25 November 2022 I submitted an application to Cricket Australia to vary my lifetime ban from leadership in cricket I did this in good faith on the understanding that the normal procedures set out in the Code of Conduct would be followed.
Australia’s David Warner (right) talks to assistant coach Michael Di Venuto (left) during a training session at the Adelaide Oval ahead of the second cricket test match against the West Indies in Adelaide on 7 December 2022. (Photo by William WEST / AFP )Source: AFP
“I hoped that I would have the opportunity, in accordance with the established practice and procedure of the Code of Conduct reflected in the amendments, to demonstrate that I have met the necessary requirements for a modification of my ban and that I could afford to see the balance of my career without the yoke hanging around my neck and more distress for my family.
“However, despite my opposition and that of Cricket Australia, on Tuesday last week counsel assisting the review panel and the review tribunal took it upon themselves to draw up an irregular procedure (overturning presumptions and past practices) for the determination of my application and to take a new approach that would adversely affect the health and welfare of my family and the interests of the Australian cricket team.
“In his submissions, Counsel Assisting made offensive and unhelpful comments about me that served absolutely no substantive purpose under the Code of Conduct.
“Unfortunately, the review committee acted against the submissions of Cricket Australia and my counsel and appeared to adopt Counsel Assisting’s position almost entirely.
“In effect, Counsel Assisting and, it seems, to some extent the Review Panel, want to conduct a public trial against me and what happened during the Third Trial at Newlands. They want to make a public spectacle of, in words of the Panel, have a “cleanse.” I’m not ready for my family to be the washer of the cricket’s dirty laundry.
“The Rules of the Code of Conduct in relation to applications like mine are clear. Article 10.7 states that the hearing is not an appeal from the original decision or a new review of the offense.
“The lawyer assisting the Review Panel seemed determined to review the events of March 2018 and the Review Panel seems determined to expose me and my family to further humiliation and harm by running a circus mediatic
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“I note that Counsel Assisting’s engagement has come to an end. However, following the curiously irregular position taken by the Review Panel, and in the interests of my family and Australian cricket, I made an application last Thursday that the Review Panel review its procedural decision and at least apply a protocol that is consistent with established practice and procedure under the Code of Conduct This request was supported by Cricket Australia.
“Having had almost a week to consider this proposal, the Review Panel today decided to ignore the application in any meaningful way and provided a dismissive rejection of the substantive issues. It appears that the Panel has given no more than a cursory regard for player welfare issues and the interests of Australian cricket and is instead determined to carry out a public lynching.
“Unfortunately, I have no practical alternative at this time but to withdraw my application. I am not prepared to subject my family or my colleagues to further trauma and disruption by accepting a deviation from the way in which the my request in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
“Some things are more important than cricket.”