Looking at his probable retirement from international cricket, Australian opener David Warner is convinced that his reputation will be forever tainted by the “Sandpaper-gate” incident.
A 37-year-old controversial cricketer says he wants to achieve a remarkable result while in T20 World Cup fixtures that take place in the United States and West Indies where Australia has made it to Super Eight stage.
David Warner said during an interview in Antigua with journalists that his achievements with the bat would forever be linked with the infamous ball-tampering saga six years ago in South Africa.
Quoted by Cricket Australia, Warner was quoted saying, “I think it’s going to be inevitable that when people talk about me in twenty or thirty years’ time, there will always be that sandpaper scandal.”
According to AFP, he has already stated publicly that he will play his last game for Australia at this World Cup as the top run scorer for them in T20 cricket.
He believed he had been singled out unfairly because of what happened since he was coming towards the end of his time at the top, according to Warner.
“I’ve always copped it whether it’s been people who don’t like me or more so don’t like us playing for Australia,” informed David Warner himself.
“Look they can do that if they want but I feel like I’ve also taken so much pressure off a lot of guys throughout my career as well and I think rightly so again I have been able to absorb that,” said Warner.
Cameron Bancroft’s attempt at hiding evidence down his pants after using sandpaper to scuff up the ball during Cape Town’s third Test saw him banned for one year along with Steve Smith who was then captain; because Warner was seen as being behind everything Cricket Australia stripped him off vice-captaincy.
It would make sense for batsman like David who is getting closer and closer towards retiring from international cricket.
“He could only handle a certain amount,” he said.
“For me, it’s nice to be able to walk away without having to put with that anymore.”
