Just over 12 months ago, more than 50 per cent of the Australian public wanted David Warner out of the national team for good.
That isn’t, of course, an official number (as we’ve seen in the last month, though, what good are poll results?). But, in any case, it certainly felt like more people wanted Warner gone than didn’t.
He was the chief architect of Australian cricket’s demise, the puppet-master leading more vulnerable types into nefarious actions on the field. After their sins, all three would fall together, publicly and emotionally. Two sets of tears were met with sympathy, Warner’s by contrast were seen as that of a crocodile.
But as Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith waged their carefully curated redemption narratives – one in a singlet expounding the virtues of yoga, the other plundering runs against a club side in a telecommunications advert – Warner stayed quiet.
And he remained quiet until this week, when he conducted his first press conference following a match-winning century against Pakistan in Taunton. Cricket Australia had been waiting for him to do something significant in a game before trotting him out to face the press.
While anything Warner does will still be received with cynicism by some, his comments to journalists were, well, quite classy. He immediately paid tribute to his wife Candice, who he credited with getting him out of bed in the initial weeks following the events in Cape Town. He described her as his ‘rock’.
Then, when asked why he hadn’t done a public interview (as the other two had), he said he didn’t want or need to. “I was just focused ahead,” he said. “That was my own thing … I didn’t need to say anything.”
The press conference marked a conclusion, of sorts, of Warner’s period of quiet. While he has spoken via more carefully managed mediums and briefly at grade cricket games, this was the first time he responded to media questions.
Reflecting on this keep-quiet strategy, it’s hard to argue it hasn’t worked, especially when you consider where Warner’s reputation was some 15 months ago. By no stretch is he redeemed in the public eye, and he arguably never will be. But his turnaround has seen him back to a point where he may just be tolerable. That, in itself, is a marked improvement.
David Warner’s return has been controversial in itself. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Warner’s actions were more than just questionable during the South Africa series and the Ashes (or, some would say, years) that preceded it. But after getting a lot wrong leading up to the infamous sandpaper incident, he has got a lot right ever since.
It’s been reported that Warner’s manager James Erskine knocked back several highly-paid interview opportunities for his side of the events at Newlands. Cricket Australia were terrified of a ‘tell-all’, knowing the build-up of widespread criticism could easily lead a frustrated Warner defending himself and taking others down with him. That would have been both instinctual and characteristic.
Combative on the field, Warner rarely shies away when someone comes at him. Bancroft shifted blame onto Warner during an infamous interview aired during the Boxing Day test. “Dave [Warner] suggested to me to carry the action out on the ball given the situation we were in in the game and I didn’t know any better,” Bancroft said.
Many were expecting a Warner retort, but it never came. In fact, he was praised (for the first time since the incident) in December for staying quiet while the other two were criticised for both the timing and content of the interview.
There’s an inevitable criticism here that, contrary to the above, the only reason Warner is now being accepted is quite simple. That is that he is an incredible cricketer that will help Australia win again. Success papering over the cracks, if you will.
But Warner made a mistake, paid a hefty price, and has returned. His actions were exceedingly poor but, put plainly, not in the same ballpark as other Australian sports people who have transgressed and returned.
Much of the criticism directed at Warner over the years has been due to what comes his mouth. It’s then no surprise that, since keeping quiet, views on him have somewhat softened.
He has visibly cooled since last March. Whether he remains that way could define his legacy.
Paul
Roar Guru
Nah, know all about shouting I2I and I'd pay my way, he'd have first Wally though.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Well put, Paul. Although I think you misconstrued the Aussie tradition of shouting. Shouting is a back and forth thing. If you allow him to pay for everything because he has more money, then you're his entourage.
Steele
Guest
Cannot stand Warner as there has been a litany of accusations against him over the years, some of them factual and some more damning ones put into the rumour category. However he has handled this saga far more maturely than the other two. Who’d have thunk? It is well known Smith isn’t the brightest spark going around, but he was weak with his actions in Cape Town and has subsequently shown he will do just about anything for a buck. Bancroft is far too old to trot out the crap about fitting in. And deflecting blame is not a good look, which showed his lack of maturity once again. The first time was doing the act in the first place.
Peter Warrington
Guest
at least he wasn't shouldering players like the world's premier quick bowler
Peter Warrington
Guest
the leadership (incl off-field) were spruiking Bangers before the tour because he was so keen to fit in. that's where the ultimate rock should have landed.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Welcome back "Attack Dog". He said the booing spurs him on. Let's see how the bully copes with the Barmy Army. Warner stated Johnathan Trott had "scaredy eyes" although in his defence, Little Davey didn't realise Trott was suffering mentally. Capetown was a culmination of Warner running in to "send off" batsmen. I'm as patriotic as the rest however rather barrack for an Ash Barty than a Warner or Kyrgios..Poor manners/sportsmanship is not representative of the Aussie way.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi all. None of them are in a fishbowl and not think it all evens out sort of, older players should have more leadership, a younger guy wanting to fight in or whatever. Think the reviews and criticisms and questions since are still not clear to many, critics/fans. Was Bancroft’s pressure to fit in part of his ‘own’ character, was it from ‘the character’ of the the ‘team’, or C.A. which many thought (win at all cost). Ours team and others have had unwelcoming atmosphere for new players in the past, was it like that? The captain had limited involvement, but he should of said ‘hang on’. But does the C.A., team culture make that hard? You would have hoped an idea like that was shown to Warner in jr high school that is not the way to play. I think we also got to wonder about money. That is the real behind the ‘win at all cost’. I win I get a bigger advertising chance. I remember reading Warner and smith would lose 10 plus million not playing for that year from just advertising. That is a different world to me and I know people say money isn’t everything or how much is enough or how much do you really need. But if most people’s income was 10 million a year, they would probably be working hard to keep that going. So winning to on more the just ‘winning’ and how it is to you and me. It not just to be the best or dominate the opponent, to win the cup. It’s the livelihood, a very good one. All three are to blame. After that we still don’t know if the management, advertising people, even Australia public to a degree pushed/helped build that ‘win at all cost’ culture.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Yeah, fair call, I would agree with that.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Agreed, it’s not the traditional way Australian sportsmen have reacted when caught, they have previously held their tongue and copped it in the neck, said they don’t know how their nose got broken it was just slight contact, only gave weather advice. But it’s a different environment now, everyone goes under the bus. Sporting administrators don’t support their players, 3 time Shield winners publicly criticise their captains and coaches and demand clearances to other states because they believe they’re better than their results prove. Bancroft absolutely should take blame for his gullibility and desire to fit in and knows it, but the 20/20 way of thinking in 2020 is protect me first and foremost, regardless of who else I have to burn.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Well we are in agreeance on this… in the main. I agree about Smith and his total lack of leadership. Benaud wouldn’t have countenanced it. Chappelli and Border would’ve taken em ‘around the corner’. —- I just don’t think Bancroft is the instigator culpritaire. I do think it would’ve better for him to say I was weak and persuaded too easily…and leave it at just that.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Spot on Rowdy, it was an ill conceived plan from Warner while in a toxic headspace. He had no right to put that pressure on his opening partner who was just eager to please and fit in. It's reminiscent of Gibbs match fixing from Cronje's pressure. Both Bancroft and Gibbs deserve punishment for their gullibility and involvement in what they know to be wrong, but the instigators need to be called out. It is also right that Warner should never be in a leadership position at that level again, if his mental fatigue leads him to decisions like that, it is far more damaging to the game than getting your brother to bowl underarm!
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
The mainstream media kept at Warner to speak because they wanted their pound of flesh. I love it when individuals have the courage to resist the temptation to buckle to media bullying. I don't condone the way Warner reacted to a toxic workplace in South Africa, I don't share Folaus beliefs, but they have both shown that their elite sporting performances have been borne from strong minds. Not just to get through the media trolling, but to publicly excel afterwards. Warner and Smith have paid a far heavier price; financially, to their reputation and in their finite sporting careers than ball tamperers du Plessis and Chandimal, as well as recent 4 match banned Pakistan captain Sarfaraz. None of them are copping the media or crowd crap at the WC and that is purely because the crowds fundamentally hate Aussies, Warner and Smith in particular because they are the ones with the on field mental toughness to stand in the way of a win.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Surely not, the Saffers are God fearing cricketers who had never heard derogatory comments on field during their formative years through the vaunted high school system. They are merely reactionary, to Australians, as they are the only country ever to sledge on field and they always make it highly personal. Saffers like McMillan, Symcox thru to de Kock are heroes standing up to bullies and never instigated on field comments. As for their supporters, they have been unfairly criticised for their constant barrage of abuse directed at Candice Warner while she was playing in that series! It's not CA's fault that Warners workplace was a toxic environment - like the current Worksafe ads portray - he and his wife just needed to suck it up. Can't wait for the autobiography, there'll be a lot of ex players and administrators who'll be scared of that bus coming.
Big Daddy
Guest
Aaaagh the remorseful Warner. Everyone is remorseful after they have been caught. His body language epitomizes arrogance. And always use the wife as a back up. Sorry I can't wear him wether he is remorseful or not.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
All teams are playing each other in the lead up, we play them in the last preliminary game.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
I would argue that Smith has the greatest culpability since he was the captain, and setting those standards is part of the job. But that's a matter of personal perspective. The point is that regardless of culpability, Bancroft was a grown man, if he wanted to 'fit in' and secure his place the way to do that was scoring runs. He was extremely lucky to even be on that tour in the first place (or is that unlucky?) given his dour Ashes series. The whole saga around team culture and who did what is another story, but Bancroft should most certainly take blame for something he chose to do ultimately of his own volition.
Useless 25mm spanner
Guest
I completely agree Matt. It made me sick to see a grown man sulking like a 7 yr old, and squealing like a piglet . What ever happened to just shutting ya gob, saying nothing and taking the punishment? I feel Smith , as captain, had an obligation to speak about it , but if either of them had used their brains , they would have waited until India had gone home . Perhaps the test series may have concluded a little differently if they had.
Paul
Roar Guru
It's one of those "we'll never know" moments though, Neel. I thought Australia was just starting to learn to love without them when the Aussie summer ended. Guys who were new to Test cricket were starting to do some good things and our attack with J Richardson thrown in, was as good as it gets in Test cricket, IMO. The one day team went to India & Pakistan and we all know how those 10 games went, again without Warner & Smith. No team can replace two bats who are amongst the top half dozen in the world, but I thought the Aussies were heading in the right direction though.
Paul
Roar Guru
good batting will shut down a lot of the carping he might get and his demeanor should take care of the rest - I hope!
Neel
Roar Guru
That innings against Pakistan was brilliant. Wonderful stroke play and his running between the wickets is just brilliant. It’s amazing how times change. Him and Smith are such an integral part of this Australian team. That one year without them showed how much the Aussies missed them.