David Warner on Thursday said he will break his silence on the ball-tampering scandal “in a couple of days”.
Warner was one of three players who were given lengthy bans by Cricket Australia for conspiring to alter the condition of the ball while fielding during the third Test against South Africa.
Warner, along with former Australia captain Steve Smith, were both banned for a year, while opener Cameron Bancroft was told he cannot play cricket for nine months.
Smith earlier on Thursday gave an emotional press conference in which he took full responsibility for the trio’s actions. Hours later, Australia head coach Darren Lehmann announced that he would resign from his post after the fourth Test against South Africa starting Friday.
Bancroft had earlier also addressed the media in which the 25-year-old apologised and asked to be forgiven. However, Warner has not yet addressed the media after the scandal broke on Saturday. The former vice-captain had posted a tweet earlier on Thursday in which he acknowledged that “mistakes have been made that has damaged cricket”.
Warner landed in Sydney on Thursday along with his family and he was confronted at the airport by journalists. “As you can understand, it has been a tough, emotional time for my wife and kids,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia. “At the present time, you’ll hear from me in a couple of days.”
He added, “At the moment, my priority is to get these kids in bed, and rest up and get my mind a bit clear so I can think, and talk in a couple of days. Thanks guys.”
Cricket Australia’s investigation found that Warner had been the key conspirator in the ball-tampering plan. He had, according to the board’s findings, instructed teammate Bancroft on how to tamper with the ball using sandpaper.
Smith and Warner, who were both stood down as captain and vice-captain of Australia, were also barred from playing in the Indian Premier League’s 2018 season. They both stand to lose millions of dollars in match fees, central contracts and endorsements.
