Veteran opener David Warner had his lifetime ban on leadership roles within Australian cricket lifted on Friday following a review that led to the original sanction being amended. Warner, who had retired from international cricket earlier this year, had been banned from captaining any team within Australian cricket after the infamous ball-tampering scandal in the 2018 tour of South Africa.

The 37-year-old had presented his case before a three-person panel, who unanimously found that Warner met all criteria to have the ban lifted immediately, noting his “respectful and contrite tone” and that he acknowledged responsibility for his conduct.

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Warner has retired from the international game, but the decision opens the door for a leadership role at his Big Bash League team Sydney Thunder.

“I am pleased David has chosen to have his sanction reviewed and that he will be eligible to take up leadership positions in Australian cricket this summer,” said Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley.

Warner was cast as the key villain in the so-called “Sandpaper-gate” scandal in Cape Town in 2018, having conspired with then-skipper Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft to illegally alter the surface of the ball.

He was suspended from playing for a year and banned from any leadership role for life.

In his application to have the ban overturned, Warner provided references from current Australian skipper Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald.

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson also vouched for him.

While he is free to done the captain’s armband in Australia once again, he has already had a short stint as captain post-Sandpapergate, albeit in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he led Delhi Capitals in the 2023 edition in Rishabh Pant’s absence.

Warner had previously captained Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, helping them win their only title in 2016 after beating Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.

With AFP inputs