"I don't think it is fair to say that he is the only one who's copped it" - Michael Clarke on David Warner's recent Sandpaper Gate comments
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke feels it is unfair on David Warner's part to claim that he's the only player to bear the brunt of the Sandpaper Gate. The explosive opening batter was handed a one-year ban from competitive cricket and a lifetime ban from captaincy for his role in the ball-tampering scandal during the tour of South Africa in 2018.
As Warner's international career is set to end with the 2024 T20 World Cup, he fears that the infamous incident is what he will be remembered for rather than his exploits across all formats. The veteran recently suggested that he faced more flak than his other teammates who were involved — Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft.
"Coming back since 2018, I've probably been the only one that's ever copped a lot of flak. Whether it's people who don't like the Australian cricket team or don't like me, I've always been that person who has copped it," Warner told reporters ahead of Australia's Super 8 clash with Bangladesh (via Fox Sports).
Michael Clarke lent his opinion on the matter. Although he feels Warner has faced challenges in the aftermath of the incident, Clarke opined that the timing of the comments was wrong and that they could have been made after the World Cup.
"I understand where Davey comes from. I think parts of what he said are fair enough. I don't think he has got the timing right. I don't think it is fair to say that he is the only one who's copped it. I think Cameron Bancroft has certainly copped it, and it is the reason he is not in the Australian Test team, because of what happened years ago. Steve Smith, obviously, copped it and lost the Australia captaincy," Michael Clarke said on ESPN's Around the Wicket.
"Davey has copped it, there is certainly no doubt about it. I just don't think the timing is probably right. I think this probably would have been better suited at the end of the World Cup rather than in the middle of the World Cup. There are probably other players in the team that would prefer for this to be not spoken about right now," Clarke added.
Warner and Smith were subjected to reactions from the English crowd during the 2019 World Cup and the Ashes right after their ban periods ended. The former's request to overturn his lifetime captaincy ban was also overturned by the Cricket Australia (CA) when Australia were looking for a new white-ball captain following Aaron Finch's retirement.
"I think he definitely would be remembered for how great a cricketer he has been" - Michael Clarke on David Warner
David Warner could add another feather to his cap if Australia win the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup. The left-handed batter has already won everything possible in his illustrious career, and his aggressive batting and fiery spirit have certainly left a significant mark on the sport.
"I think in time, when he retires and walks away from the game, like a lot of us, you don't take stuff as personally. Time heals all. I think he definitely would be remembered for how great a cricketer he has been. He has been an amazing entertainer. Unfortunately for him, yes, it probably will be talked about in bits and pieces," Clarke said.
Warner has been in reasonably good touch in the ongoing tournament in tricky conditions. He has scored 116 runs in four innings and is the 10th on the list of highest scorers.