CA opens door to Warner leadership return after amending code of conduct

David Warner can now formally apply to have his lifetime leadership ban modified after Cricket Australia's board amended its code of conduct policy.

Warner was previously unable to hold a captaincy position in Australian cricket after being handed a lifetime ban as a result of 2018's ball-tampering scandal and under the previous code of conduct, players do not have the right to have a sanction reviewed once it has been accepted.

But the CA board requested a code of conduct review at the October board meeting to be conducted by CA's head of integrity Jacqui Partridge.

CA released a statement on Monday outlining that the recommendations of that review have been accepted and granted formal approval, with Warner now able to apply to have his ban modified.

"Under the changes, players and support staff can now apply to have long-term sanctions modified," the statement said.

"Any applications will be considered by a three-person Review Panel, comprising independent Code of Conduct Commissioners, which must be satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist to justify modifying a sanction.

"These circumstances and considerations will include whether the subject of the sanction has demonstrated genuine remorse; the subject's conduct and behaviour since the imposition of the sanction; whether rehabilitation programs have been completed undertaken (if applicable) and the length of time that has passed since the sanction was imposed and whether sufficient time has passed to allow for reform or rehabilitation.

"The code of conduct states this process: 'Acknowledges that Players and Player Support Personnel are capable of genuine reform or rehabilitation and is intended to provide the Player or Player Support Personnel with an opportunity to resume their previously held positions or responsibilities in specific circumstances.'

"The hearing of an application is not an appeal, or a review of the original sanction imposed."

Warner, 36, has been keen on returning to a leadership role having captained in the IPL since his CA leadership ban. He spoke recently about being keen to help Sydney Thunder in a leadership capacity on his return to the BBL.

Warner also hinted that he was keen to play international cricket through until the 2024 T20 World Cup, with Australia likely to need a new T20I captain for that tournament.