Cricket Australia are hopeful David Warner will confirm on Thursday whether he will fight the 12-month ban handed down to him following last month’s ball-tampering fiasco.
Both Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft announced they had accepted their fate on Wednesday, opting not to challenge the respective 12 and nine-month suspensions handed down by CA last week.
Their decisions shifted all focus to Warner, who has not made public comment since he took to social media after Saturday morning’s press conference to confirm he was seeking advice on the matter.
The opener has the most at stake, after he admitted on Saturday he was “resigned to the fact” he may never play for Australia again after being identified as the mastermind of the tampering plans.
CA’s code of conduct – under which the banned trio were found to have brought the game into disrepute – outlines Warner has until the day before next Wednesday’s potential hearing to confirm his position.
However it is understood there is a sense it will be better if the matter is dealt with quickly, and CA therefore requested earlier-than-required submissions by the end of Thursday.
Even so, Smith’s response came earlier than expected. It will do much to maintain the swell of public support he won following his gut-wrenching press conference on arrival back in Sydney last Thursday.
“I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country,” he tweeted on Wednesday.
“But I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as Captain of the team. I won’t be challenging the sanctions.
“They’ve been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them.”
Smith could now head for Engand’s County system where it is understood CA would not stand in his or either of the other players’ way.
He is also likely to turn out for Sutherland in Sydney grade cricket next summer, after the club offered their full support to the 28-year-old last weekend.
In the longer term, national captaincy can be back on the agenda by March 2020.
Bancroft can embark on his more difficult path back into the Australian side earlier, given is likely to slide back into Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield side for the second half of summer.
Bancroft’s suspension will be lifted at the end of December, meaning he can also play in the majority of the Big Bash League and try to reclaim a CA contract for the 2019-20 season.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I think it would probably be reasonable for him to appeal. As has been pointed out at various times, all the teams tamper with the ball trying to get it to move, it's all pre-meditated and is just one of those things that isn't talked about. The ICC treats it as little more than a slap on the wrist offense because it knows that players getting caught doing it is largely more about the host broadcaster hunting for the opposition team than it is about them doing anything worse than anyone else. So having such ridiculous, over the top sanctions handed out and talking about it like it's some massive betrayal is obscene and really should be challenged. There's actually a pretty good piece on espncricinfo at the moment on this: http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23021555/do-broadcasters-do-ball-tampering As is pointed out, the only way players are reprimanded for ball tampering is video evidence. The last time an umpire tried to bring a charge of ball tampering based on what they observed rather than what there was video evidence for pretty much ended the umpires career. So it's down to the host broadcaster. And, surprise, no home player has ever been charged with ball tampering!!! There's even the mention of the Steve Smith DRS incident in India basically coming up because Indian officials specifically asked the host broadcaster to look out for it. Something that only a home team can do. So, in an era when home advantage has never been greater, here is another area in which the odds are very much stacked in the home teams favour. Likely the Aussies were not doing anything the South African's weren't doing.
Nick
Roar Guru
If he spills the lollies, he can kiss off any chance of getting on the T20 circuit. He seriously risks a life ban from CA cricket, and thus the BCCI and ECB won't touch him with a ten foot pole. No one employs a fink.
Keeper
Roar Rookie
I hope most of all that Dave warner is not lost to aussie cricket, but also admit to wanting all the lollies spilled in the hope that the administrators finally get brought down. The fish rots from the head. Go davey!
Ches
Guest
"Change of Culture" is really a code word or Euphemism for get rid of Warner. They do want the team to pretty much stay as it is but without him.
Damo
Guest
If he appeals and spills the lollies, he loses his tell-all media deal. So which one does his really want, a cricket career or the money? Given his choice of PR rep I reckon he won't appeal and take the $1m tell all deal instead.
Bamboo
Guest
I’m sure Sutherland and co know its easier to replace people than replace commercial partners. Hundreds of millions.
Ches
Guest
I am not a Warner fan, but unless some of "deal" can be reached with him beforehand I think he has no option but to appeal and spill the lollies. The lot comes undone if he confesses to previously ball tampering. Everyone's job is gone. Is this what Warne was alleging in his "top to bottom" comment unless something worked out?