David Warner Breaks His Silence, Issues Tearful Apology

Cricket Australia has banned David Warner for 12 months for his part in the ball-tampering row in South Africa.

Former Australian cricket vice-captain David Warner breaks down while talking to the media in Sydney on Saturday.

(Photo: AP)

After teammate Steve Smith, Australian opener David Warner also issued a tearful apology on Saturday for his part in the ball-tampering scandal during the third Test against South Africa last weekend in Cape Town, but left a lot of questions unanswered as to his actual role in the episode.

To all Australians, whether you’re a cricket fan or not, I apologise for the impact those actions have had on our country’s reputation. I’ve only ever wanted to bring glory to my country through playing cricket. I failed in my responsibilities as vice-captain of the Australian cricket team

David Warner

Warner was accused of hatching the plan to use sandpaper to scuff the ball on the third day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa. Cricket Australia investigators also alleged he advised Bancroft how to scuff the ball and failed to voluntarily report of his knowledge of the plan after the match.

Warner has been barred by Cricket Australia from ever holding a leadership position again. He did not say on Saturday whether he would appeal. He repeatedly apologised as he made his first public comments since the scandal broke, but did not address questions about his involvement, detail the roles of other teammates in the plot to cheat, or whether there had been any previous attempts at ball tampering.

Warner broke down in tears when speaking about his family and said that while he dreamed of one day winning back his place in the Australian cricket team, he accepted that may never happen.

In the back of my mind I suppose there is a tiny ray of hope that I may one day be given the privilege of playing for my country again but I am resigned to the fact that may never happen. I just want to move on from this. It is going to take a long time to earn respect back from the Australian public.

David Warner

David Warner cries as he talks to the media in Sydney.(Photo: AP)

While an apologetic Bancroft and tearful Smith each faced news conferences soon after their arrivals on Thursday, Warner waited two days to front the media.

On Saturday, he made a special point of apologising to cricket fans and players in South Africa, saying “I have brought the game into disrepute on your soil, and I apologise 100 percent.”

Warner cut short the news conference after being asked if he was being singled out as the instigator of the plan.

As I said before, I’m here to speak about myself and take responsibility for the part that I played in this.

David Warner

Warner was one of three players banned for their involvement in the ball-tampering controversy on the third day of the Test at Cape Town. Steve Smith, who also lost his captaincy, received a 12-month ban, as did Warner. Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months.

“In the coming weeks and months, I’m going to look at how this happened and who I am as a man. I will seek out advice and expertise to help me make serious changes,” Warner said at the press conference.

After the press conference, Warner posted a series of tweets explaining why he dodged many of the questions during his interaction with the media.

(With inputs from AP)