ZCZC
BSP-02
CRICKET-AUS-RSA-WARNER
Tearful Warner sorry for ball-tampering, weighing up appeal
SYDNEY, March 31, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Former Australia vice-captain David
Warner apologised in tears Saturday for his role in a ball-tampering scandal
and said he would weigh up an appeal against his 12-month ban.
An emotional Warner said he realised he may never play for his country
again. But he stonewalled questions about who was aware of the ball-tampering
and whether it was the first such incident within the team.
Warner, 31, told a media conference in Sydney: “I can honestly say I have
only wanted to bring glory to my country through playing cricket.
“In striving to do so I have made the decision which has had the opposite
effect and it’s one that I will regret for as long as I live.”
Captain Steve Smith and Warner were banned from international and domestic
cricket for a year over the incident, while opening batsman Cameron Bancroft
was suspended for nine months.
Coach Darren Lehmann also quit following one of the most damaging scandals
to ever to hit Australian cricket.
Bancroft was caught on camera trying to use yellow sandpaper to alter the
the ball in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
But Warner was charged by Cricket Australia with developing the plot and
telling Bancroft to carry it out.
When questioned about a possible appeal, Warner said: “That’s something
that I will continue to sit down with my family and weigh up all my
considerations before I make any decisions.”
BSS/AFP/MRI/0854 hrs