Overturned leadership ban opens door for Warner to return to leadership role

David Warner may find his leadership ban lifted after Cricket Australia amended their Code of Conduct rules on Friday.

Warner's ban was instated in the aftermath of 2018's ball-tampering scandal, which saw Warner ruled out of featuring in international cricket for twelve months.

With former-captain Steve Smith, who was hit with a 12-month ban from leadership positions after the events of 2018, serving as vice-captain in Australia's test side, there is now seemingly support to see Warner's ban removed.

Per the Herald Sun, Cricket Australia is reportedly set to inset a 'Warner clause' into the integrity code, giving him the opportunity to appeal his lifetime leadership ban.

Speaking ahead of the board meeting, CA chairman Lachlan Henderson said the situation should "adopt a principle of fairness" given Warner's behaviour since his return to cricket.

“I think we do need to be aware of precedent. Codes are put in place for good reason and as are sanctions. We need to be careful that we're not reactive in relation to bans that have been imposed in the past,” Henderson said.

“We also need to also be aware that players and those subject to sanctions can change, can do very well in the future and we'd like to think that we need to adopt a principle of fairness as we look at David's situation particularly.

“But it is in the context of the broader code.”

Warner himself spoke about his possible return to a leadership on Fox Cricket, admitting that he doesn't need a title to feel like a leader within a team.

“It's another cliche, it is what it is,” Warner said on Friday.

“At the end of the day, I've just got to accept what the decision is handed down.

“There is talk that I might be able to have a chat to the integrity unit, if that's possible I'm happy just to sit down with them and just chew the fat a little bit and if it does get overturned we have to go from there.

“But, for me, I'm a leader in this no matter what, it doesn't matter if you've got a ‘C' or a ‘V' next to your name, you've got to put your best foot forward and lead by example.”