Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com
Following his confirmation of a return to the BBL with the Sydney Thunder, David Warner wants to speak with Cricket Australia’s board regarding his leadership suspension.
Warner said on Sunday that his nine-year exile from the BBL was ended after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Thunder, which would allow him to play for them when he is not representing Australia.
Warner has the ability to attract the kind of crowds the tournament once attracted, making his signature a major coup for CA.
The powerful opener has only appeared in three BBL games, scoring 101 runs for the Thunder in the tournament’s opening match and playing his final game for Sydney Sixers in the 2013–14 season.
The 35-year old’s comeback is the result of negotiations of months with cricket officials; he was also contacted by the wealthy UAE Twenty20 league.
The possibility of lifting Warner’s lifetime team leadership ban, which CA imposed following the ball-tampering scandal in 2018, had also been discussed in relation to his comeback.
The Thunder said on Sunday that no decision had been made on their captaincy, after Usman Khawaja moved north to the Brisbane Heat.
“That hasn’t been brought to the table (by the Thunder),” Warner said. “It’s upon the (Cricket Australia) board to reach out to me and open the doors and I can sit down and have an honest conversation with them.
“The board has changed since back in 2018 when all those sanctions were dealt. It will be great to have a conversation with them and see where we are at.”
Test captain Pat Cummins and others have supported Warner’s aspirations of getting his leadership suspension lifted, In recent months.
Warner also expected that his return to the BBL will encourage local players to continue playing for the Australian system in the future.
Warner will be available for up to five BBL games this season in addition to the finals.
