A frustrated David Warner Monday said he was "not a criminal" and everyone should have the right to appeal as Cricket Australia paved the way for his lifetime leadership ban to be lifted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The dynamic opener and former Test vice-captain was banned from any leadership role in Australia over his part in the Cape Town ball-tampering affair in 2018.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But under an amendment to CA's code of conduct confirmed on Monday, he will now be able to request a review of the sanction, a move previously not permitted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The code of conduct changes were first raised nine months ago and Warner said it had dragged on too long.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's been drawn out, it's traumatic for me and my family and everyone else involved in it," the Australian newspaper quoted the 36-year-old as saying in Melbourne.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think it's just about being fair that at the end of the day, I'm not a criminal. You should get a right of appeal at some stage, you know.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I understand that they put a ban in place, but banning someone for life I think is a bit harsh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"So it's just an opportunity to come out and actually, you know, show that I'm actually remorseful. I've done my time to get back into the Australian cricket setup."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Under the new rule, a player must show that "exceptional circumstances exist to justify modifying a sanction", including demonstrating remorse and evidence of improved behaviour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
CA said the policy "acknowledges that players and player support personnel are capable of genuine reform or rehabilitation".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It is intended to provide the player or player support personnel with an opportunity to resume their previously held positions or responsibilities in specific circumstances," it added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pat Cummins is currently Australia's Test and ODI captain and Aaron Finch skipper of the T20 side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A lifting of Warner's ban would make him a prime candidate to take over the T20 captaincy should Finch step down, as he recently did from the 50-over format.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Warner would also be in the mix, alongside Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood and Alex Carey, to deputise for Cummins or act as his vice-captain. It could also allow him to lead his Big Bash League side Sydney Thunder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Warner was cast as the key villain in the "Sandpaper-gate" ball-tampering scandal against South Africa in 2018, having conspired with then-skipper Smith and Cameron Bancroft to alter the ball during the third Test in Cape Town.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Like Warner, Smith was banned from playing for a year but his leadership sanction only lasted two years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n