Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct Commission ruled that Warner’s ban, which was handed down after the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018 and prevented him from holding any leadership position in Australian cricket, should no longer be in place. It paved the way for Warner to captain the Thunder with him available all season.
“Being captain of the Thunder again this season means a lot to me,” Warner said. “I was part of the team from the beginning, and now to be back with that ‘C’ next to my name feels fantastic. I’m looking forward to leading from the front and sharing my experience with the young talents that are emerging.
“One of the most exciting parts of this role is the opportunity to give back to the younger players, to pass on some of the knowledge I have gained over the years. I want to help them grow so that one day, one of these Los young people can step forward and lead the team when I finish.”
Trent Copeland, the Thunder general manager who was heavily involved in the appeal process, said it would help Warner cement a legacy with the club.
“This is a great moment for David and for our club,” he said. “It’s not just about his career; it’s about the legacy he is creating, especially for his family and the next generation of players.
“For Western Sydney fans who have long recognized David as a Thunder legend, it is a special moment to see him now as their captain. This captaincy is about more than cricket; it is about community, legacy and helping our players “younger people gain the skills they need to succeed.”
Warner already led the Thunder once in 2011, when he scored an unbeaten 102 against Melbourne Stars. He has been appointed ahead of Chris Green, who was captain last season when the team finished last.
“I want to commend the way Greeny led from the front,” Warner said. “He is an exceptional talent with fantastic leadership qualities. Jason Sangha too, before his injury. I gained a great understanding from both of them and know they are guys I can lean on this season.”
Speaking when the ban was lifted, Copeland said it was about more than Warner being able to manage a cricket team again.
“This is much bigger than a cricket captain role. It is leadership in a lifelong context,” he said. “This is about him, about his daughters in particular, about the legacy he wants to leave his family. This is about Davey, his family and ultimately our belief in what is right at this time.
“If that’s a lifetime ban, it still applies to you when you’re 50 or 60. It’s just never going to go away. [what happened in 2018] “It may never go away, but I think at least this gives it a chance.”
In its opinion, the review panel highlighted “the respectful and contrite tone of his [Warner’s] “The responses as well as the content impressed the Review Panel and led them to the unanimous opinion that he was sincere and genuine in acknowledging responsibility for the conduct and in his statement that he felt extreme remorse for his conduct.”
Since his ban from CA, Warner has captained teams in BPL, IPL and ILT20. He last led an Australian team when he captained the T20I team against New Zealand in 2018.
Thunder will begin their BBL campaign against Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17 before taking on Sydney Sixers in the first derby at the Showground on December 21.
