David Warner Feels Singled Out as He Nears Retirement After Sandpaper Scandal

Australian batsman David Warner says he’s become the sole target for criticism since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa back in 2018. 

Warner, along with then-captain Steve Smith, were banned for a year after being caught tampering with the ball during a Test match. Opener Cameron Bancroft, who physically altered the ball with sandpaper, received a nine-month suspension.

The incident left Cameron Bancroft off the hook for a long period of time and it is still suggested that he is not finding a place in the team despite having impressive first-class records just because his name was evidently attached to the ball-tampering scandal.

However, David Warner did find his wat back into the team. As he prepares to retire from international cricket after the T20 World Cup, he admits he’s looking forward to leaving the Cape Town incident behind. 

“There’s a limit to what you can take,” the 37-year-old told Cricket Australia. “Since coming back in 2018, I feel like I’ve been the one constantly criticized.”

“It’s always been me. It’ll be nice to know that won’t be the case anymore after I retire.”

There’s more than ball-tampering in fabulous career of David Warner

While Warner is acknowledged as the mastermind behind the ball-tampering plan, Smith was also aware and failed to intervene. Notably, Warner is the only player banned for life from leadership roles within the Australian team.

Despite the tarnish on his reputation, Warner remains a crucial member of the Australian side, currently aiming to add the T20 World Cup to their existing ODI and World Test Championship titles.

Warner accepts the scandal will forever be linked to him, but hopes his explosive batting will also be a defining part of his legacy.

“True cricket fans, those who truly love the game, will still see me as a cricketer who tried to make a difference,” he said.

“Someone who aimed to follow in the footsteps of great openers before me, to score runs quickly and change the way Test cricket is played.”