‘It means a lot to me’: David Warner on captaining Sydney Thunder after revocation of captaincy ban | Cricket News

A month after he was cleared for captaincy role in Australian cricket, former Australian opener David Warner was named the captain of the Big Bash side Sydney Thunder for the upcoming edition of the league. The 38-year-old, who was handed a one-year-old ban following the sandpaper scandal in 2018, was also handed a lifetime ban on any captaincy role Cricket Australia earlier and the decision was revoked Cricket Australia last month.
“Captaining the Thunder again this season means a lot to me. I was part of the team from the start, 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 talent coming through,” Warner said in a statement on Wednesday.
The former Australian cricketer replaced all-rounded Chris Green as the Big Bash side’s captain ahead of this year’s campaign. The 2016 Big Bash champion side had finished in the last edition of the league. Warner, who played in 110 T20Is for Australia, had captained Thunder only once in the side’s first match in the league in 2011 and had played a match winning unbeaten knock of 102 runs against Melbourne Stars. “I want to compliment the way Greeny led from the front. He’s an exceptional talent with fantastic leadership qualities. Jason Sangha, too, before his injury. I gained great insight from both, and I know they’re guys I can lean on this season,” added Warner.
Warner had appeared before an independent three-member panel appointed Cricket Australia last month after challenging the lifetime leadership ban. The panel revoked the ban citing that the ban had ‘achieved its purpose’. “One of the most exciting parts of this role is the chance to give back to the younger players, to pass on some of the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years. I want to help them grow so that one day, one of these young guns can step up and lead the team when I’m done. We have an incredible group of young players like Ollie Davies, Jason Sangha, and Sam Konstas. They’re fearless and have so much potential. My goal is to guide them, help them learn the game, and ultimately give them the tools to thrive both in the BBL and beyond,” said Warner.