The ball-tampering episode at Cape Town against South Africa has emerged to be one the most disgraceful acts in Australian cricket history. The harsh consequences of the lack of decision have left the cricketing careers of skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and youngster Cameron Bancroft in jeopardy.
However, we witnessed an extremely touching moment when Steve Smith sat down for a presser on his return to Australia and was left in tears. Following the 28-year-old’s apology, opener David Warner has decided to face the camera and take responsibility for his actions.
A completely devastated David Warner issued an apology of his own and resigned to the prospect of never wearing the Australian colours again!
“There’s a tiny ray of hope that I may one day be given the privilege of playing for my country again but I’m resigned to the fact that that may never happen again.”
He continued…
“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.”
The left-handed batsman struggled to hold back his emotions as he accepted the fact that his actions were ‘inexcusable’.
In a fourth press conference in three days, Warner stated that retiring from cricket is also in contention and he would figure it out with his family.
“We let our country down. We made a bad decision. I played my part in that. It’s really hard to sit here today, knowing and seeing my friends, my family, that are playing in South Africa at the moment in this fourth Test, which I wish that I was a part of.”
David Warner’s wife Candice, who was present in the auditorium was also in tears, seeing her husband address the media.
Watch the video here:
Read the full transcripts from the Warner, Smith, Bancroft & Lehmann press conferences here: https://t.co/CsxflxQyCo pic.twitter.com/iqSoge4MUk
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 31, 2018
Following the press conference, Warner took to Twitter to mention that he would give clearer answers in time.
1/3 I know there are unanswered questions and lots of them. I completely understand. In time i will do my best to answer them all. But there is a formal CA process to follow.
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 31, 2018
2/3 I am taking advice to make sure I properly comply with that process and answer all questions in the proper place and at the proper time.
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 31, 2018
3/3 I should have mentioned that in my press conference I’m sorry for not making it clearer. With so much at stake for my family and cricket I have to follow this process properly. I think that’s fair.
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 31, 2018
Another shocking press conference that shook the cricketing world to the core. With a lot at stake for these players and Australian cricket, only time will tell if we’ll get to see these men back on the 22 yards again!