Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has responded to veteran David Warner’s recent comments about the Sandpaper Gate scandal. Michael Clarke acknowledged that David Warner has faced pressure, but added that other players such as Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith have also been affected by the scandal.

Then-captain Steve Smith and his deputy Warner, along with opener Cameron Bancroft, were involved in the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018. Cricket Australia (CA) banned Warner and Smith from cricket for a year. Bancroft, meanwhile, served a nine-month cricket ban.

Additionally, David Warner received a lifetime ban from leadership roles in Australian cricket. The left-handed batsman appealed to lift his lifetime captaincy ban following the retirement of Aaron Finch. However, Cricket Australia rejected Warner’s request when the team was searching for a new white-ball captain after Finch’s retirement.

Understand where David Warner is coming from – Michael Clarke

Speaking on ESPN’s Around the Wicket, Michael Clarke noted that David Warner and other players such as Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith have faced pressure over the incident. Clarke criticized the timing of Warner’s comment, suggesting it would have been more appropriate after the World Cup than during it.

“I understand where Davey is coming from. I think parts of what he said are pretty fair. I don’t think he got the timing right. I don’t think it’s fair to say he’s the only one who’s done it.” “I think Cameron Bancroft certainly got over him, and that’s the reason he’s not in the Australian Test team, because of what happened years ago, Steve Smith obviously got over him and lost the Australian captaincy,” Michael said. Clarke.

“Davey is over it, there’s no doubt about it. I just don’t think it’s the right time. I think this probably would have been more appropriate at the end of the World Cup than in the middle of the World Cup.” “There are probably other players in the team who would prefer this not be talked about now,” Clarke added.

I’ve always been that person – David Warner

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Super 8 match between Australia and Bangladesh, David Warner said his international career could be overshadowed by the ball-tampering incident more than his achievements in all formats. Warner said he has consistently faced criticism compared to Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft.

“Coming back from 2018, I’ve probably been the only one who’s gotten a lot of criticism. Whether it’s people not liking the Australian cricket team or not liking me, I’ve always been that person who’s done it,” Warner told journalists.

David Warner will achieve another important milestone in his career if Australia wins the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. He has already clinched major titles like the T20 World Cup in 2021, the World Test Championship in 2023 and the ODI World Cup in 2023 after end your prohibition period.

The Mitchell Marsh-led team remained unbeaten in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Yellow were placed in Group 1 along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India during the Super 8 stages of the tournament. The top two teams from Group 1 will advance to the semi-finals of the ICC event.

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