New Delhi: David Warner recently opened up about wanting to get his lifetime captaincy ban to be overturned. He has called on Cricket Australia to approach him about the matter as he signed a two-year contract to return to the Big Bash League with Sydney Thunder. The batter is currently not allowed to hold any leadership position in Australian cricket for the rest of his career.

Warner, speaking about the matter, said, “As I’ve said plenty of times off the record, it’s upon the board to reach out to me and open their doors. Then I can sit down and have an honest conversation with them.” He also mentioned that the board has changed since back in 2018. The player added that regardless of his captaincy role, he can play a leadership position in a team. He said, “I’ve got the experience, I’m a leader in the side anyway without having a title. That’s what I’m about, giving back, so if they (young players) can pick my brains in any way, my phone is always there, they have my number, and they can see me when I’m at the practice facilities.”

Sydney Thunder needs a new captain for the upcoming 2022-23 season after Usman Khawaja moved to Brisbane Heat. Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins has been a strong advocate of the ban on Warner being lifted, he also opened up about it in the recent Chappell Foundation dinner at the SCG.

The ban came after the Sandpaper scandal against South Africa when Steve Smith led the Australian side while Warner was his deputy. Warner was the one who got the harshest ban among the three players convicted. Smith was given a two-year leadership ban and last year he led Australia in the second Test against England in Adelaide. While another one convicted in the cheating case was Cameron Bancroft.