The ball tampering scandal of 2018 will go down as perhaps the darkest phase of David Warner’s storied international career. For his role in the scandal, Warner was issued a lifetime ban from holding leadership roles in Australian national cricket teams besides a 12-month ban from all forms of cricket.
Warner has moved on from the captaincy ban and says he enjoyed the opportunities to lead teams in the Indian Premier League.
Also Read: David Warner Announces ODI Retirement
Warne continued to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL and last season, captained Delhi Capitals in the absence of Rishabh Pant.
“When I look back at that, it can be handled differently. But I think Nick (Hockley, Cricket Australia’s chief executive) did his ultimate best to put that forward to the board and the decision was made, and I’m happy with that. I’ve moved forward from that,” Warner told reporters on Monday.
The 37-year-old made a surprise announcement that he’s retiring from ODIs as well.
“I’ve got opportunities to lead in the IPL, to lead in the ILT20. I’ve enjoyed my leadership roles. But for me, in recent years, I’ve learned that leadership (isn’t about) wearing a captain or vice-captain badges. For me, I’m a leader in this team no matter what. You don’t need that C or VC next to your name,” he said.
“I know myself and my energy at times can be annoying, and I can be a pest, but I know that inside that changeroom it gets everyone up and about,” he added.
The Sydney Test between Australia and Pakistan that starts from January 3 will be the final of Warner’s career. He though will continue playing T20 cricket and hope to make the cut for the T20 World Cup slated to be held in June this year.
Warner says he’s got no regrets.
“…Reflecting back on that whole period, my whole career, I’ve got no regrets because you are going to have a lot of hurdles you are going to have to jump. There’s going to be obstacles in the way, but you have to move forward and I’ve done that with dignity,” he said.
Warner revealed he had decided to retire mid-way through the Ashes should his performance be not up to the mark.
“I actually had Lord’s pencilled in as my last Test, especially if I didn’t go as well as I did in a partnership with Uzzie (Usman Khawaja) at the top of the order. Then from there, it just followed on that we played some good innings together. I didn’t have that hundred (in England) that I always wanted but always eluded me in achieving. But as a team and as a whole we did our bit,” Warner said.
“To get this ending is awesome, but it’s not about me, it’s about us. We’ve won the series (against Pakistan) but to win 3-0 and have a whitewash here at the SCG would be a great thing for the team. We can’t take away the fact of how well this team has been (playing) in the last 18 months,” he added.
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