Controversy erupts over David Warner's new captaincy role
David Warner is banned from ever holding a leadership position in Australian cricket over his role in the ball-tampering scandal.
But that hasn’t stopped the Sylhet Sixers from handing him the captaincy for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League.
The Sixers announced on Saturday that Warner will lead the team in the sixth season of the BPL, starting January 5.
Warner is one of the Sixers’ two allowed overseas players, along with Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane.
The BPL will run during Australia’s Big Bash League, which Warner and fellow banned star Steve Smith are not allowed to play in.
Smith will play for the Comilla Victorians in the BPL.
Leading cricket writer Peter Lalor told Channel 7 it would be a ‘tough look’ for Australian cricket.
“Two superstars are going to be over there playing in Bangladesh while the BBL is on here,” he said.
Banned from all leadership positions in Australian cricket, David Warner named Sylhet Sixers captain in Bangladesh Premier League this Jan https://t.co/1jXPof5XnG
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) December 7, 2018
Cricket fans also found it problematic that Warner had been handed a captaincy role.
That club must have no morals!
He’s a germ and not a leaders fingernail.
Cheat— Ryan D (@RyanD60244082) December 7, 2018
You think he would refuse it given the circumstances. Think this self-minded attitude is a big part of his issues.
— Robert P (@LesNortonAu) December 7, 2018
Bangladesh must be on a 9 month time delay.
— Percy Llewellyn (@LlewellynPercy) December 7, 2018
Paid for destroying the game of cricket…but still makes money
— Glen (@kingschoppe) December 8, 2018
Kohli ‘sad’ for banned Aussies
Earlier on Saturday, Indian captain Virat Kohli said he was upset at how Australia’s banned cricketers were treated after the ball-tampering scandal.
Kohli says he felt sad about the treatment of Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft after the trio were suspended for ball-tampering in a Test against South Africa in March.
Cricket Australia banned Smith and Warner from international and state cricket for a year, with Bancroft suspended for nine months.
“What happened after … I felt very bad,” Kohli told Fox Sports in an interview to be aired on Saturday.
“The things that happened afterwards should not have happened.
“The things that hit me the hardest was the way they were received at the airports and escorted out.
“It is not my place to comment on the decisions. But to treat people like that for me it was unpleasant to see.”
Kohli said he would never want to experience such treatment.
“I have known David and Steve and apart from the battles you have on the field you never want to see something of that magnitude happen to two sportsmen,” he said.
“It was sad to see, to be honest. As big a thing as it became, you never want to see anyone go through that.”
Kohli said he had been in contact with Warner since the controversy.
“After that event I have always been in touch with David, me and him get along very well, he has been very kind to me,” he said.
with AAP
