Cricket Australia (CA) has scrapped the lifetime leadership ban on David Warner that was controversially handed down in the wake of the Newlands ball-tampering incident. 

The suspension had been the last remaining sanction in place from the “Sandpaper-gate” saga, of which Warner was considered the architect.

An independent three-member review panel unanimously determined Warner met the criteria to have his ban overturned after the former Test opener lodged an appeal with CA.

Among the submissions they received that factored into their decisions were letters of reference from current Australia men’s captain Pat Cummins, former national captains Greg Chappell and Lisa Sthalekar, as well as men’s coach Andrew McDonald and New Zealand star Kane Williamson.

Also mentioned in the review’s findings were Warner’s good behaviour since the Cape Town ball-tampering saga, and the impact he can have on younger generations going forward.

Warner retired from international cricket this year, but the decision paves the way for him to hold a formal leadership role with the BBL’s Sydney Thunder this summer.

Loading

AAP/ABC