As a result of the amendment to Cricket Australia's review policy, the Australian swashbuckling batter David Warner can appeal his lifetime leadership ban to become Australia's captain. The dynamic opener and former vice-captain was banned from all leadership positions in Australia for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town in 2018.
He was also given a one-year playing suspension, but he was able to regain his position in the national team across all three formats.
The 36-year-old must show that “exceptional circumstances exist to justify modifying a sanction”, including demonstrating remorse and evidence of improved behaviour.
The new rule “acknowledges that players and player support personnel are capable of genuine reform or rehabilitation”.
“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,” CA added.
Under the former code of conduct, players had no ability to appeal once a sentence had been approved.
Pat Cummins is Australia’s current Test and ODI captain, while Aaron Finch is the T20 captain.
Warner would be a prime candidate for the T20 captaincy if his suspension were lifted, given Finch's recent departure from the 50-over format.
Warner, alongside Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, and Alex Carey, would be in the running to replace Cummins or serve as his vice-captain. It might also allow him to captain Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.
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.