London, Aug 11 - Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody, who elevated David Warner to captain's position in the Indian Premier League (IPL), urged Cricket Australia's (CA) hierarchy to make him deputy to prospective Test captain Steve Smith.
As Warner confirmed his desire to be Australia's new Test vice-captain, Moody -- his coach at IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad -- said the mistakes made by the 28-year-old earlier in his career, many of them relating to his temper, should not preclude him from taking the position.
"Every player goes through a period of development and maturity, and I think Davey, along with many others, has gone through that journey. Probably the biggest one of our recent times has been Ricky Ponting," Moody was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald on Monday.
"He hasn't committed a crime. He, like thousands of other sportsmen, has gone through those developing stages in becoming a complete international player, you learn from your mistakes. I don't think he has to prove anything to anyone. He's shown over time that he's not only an extremely capable international cricketer but he's shown he's someone who can be trusted with responsibility."
Warner's off-field problems peaked about two years ago who he was stood down for the Champions Trophy and part of the 2013 Ashes because of a drunken altercation with England's Joe Root. He has also proved irascible on the field.