"Without having a title, I'm a leader in the side"- David Warner slams Cricket Australia on lifetime "captaincy-ban"

Thus, he was punished with a lifetime ban for not being able to captain the Australian side in the future. However, Warner has led a number of teams in franchise cricket but not in international cricket after that incident. And as per the latest developments, the veteran opener is making his comeback in the Big Bash League after a gap of nine years.

The left-hander has signed a two-year deal with Sydney Thunder and is likely to play at least five games after the end of the third and final test against South Africa in January. Notably, the franchise hasn't appointed their new skipper for the next two seasons as their former skipper, Usman Khawaja, has shifted to Brisbane Heat.

And after a lot of statements and heat against Warner's life-time captaincy ban, he might be seen leading Sydney Thunder in the BBL. Apart from him, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were also involved in the "ball-tampering" incident. Smith was also punished with a two-year captaincy ban.

However, Smith led the Australian team in the second match of the five-match Ashes series last year against England, after Pat Cummins missed the match after testing COVID positive. In the latest interview, Warner has opened up about his captaincy ban. He said that it hasn't been discussed so far by Cricket Australia and it is totally on the board.

He added that he wanted to speak openly with the Australian board on this matter. Warner also pointed out that many officials have changed since the incident in 2018, so it will be great to discuss with them and see what comes out.

Warner concluded, "I've got the experience, I'm a leader in the side anyway without having a title. That's what I'm about, giving back, so if they [younger players] can pick my brains in any way, my phone is always there."