Australia’s David Warner reacted for the first time since Cricket Australia handed him a one-year ban in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal during against South Africa at Cape Town.
Warner, in a Tweet, stated that he was on his way to hometown Sydney after CA’s punishment and acknowledged that “mistakes have been made that has damaged cricket”. Warner, along with skipper Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were asked to leave South Africa and were replaced by Glenn Maxwell, Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw.
CA’s investigations found that Warner devised the plan to “artificially alter the condition of the ball”.
The Australian board also stated that the belligerent left-hander would not be given a leadership role in the future.
Warner wrote: “I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans. It is 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 advisers. You will hear from me in a few days,” Warner added.
Following the developments that have unfolded over the last few days and the massive outpour of public outrage in Australia, Warner stepped down as the captain of Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India later announced that Warner, along with Smith, would take no part in the upcoming IPL season.
Warner’s woes deepened after sponsors LG Electronics cut ties with him.
CA’s findings also projected Warner as the chief instigator of the scandal.
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