Australian cricket’s culture overhaul will reportedly be under threat if David Warner is asked to return to the side.
The eventual return of the 31-year-old from a 12-month suspension has been claimed to be ‘the biggest issue’ for Justin Langer, who is tasked with restoring the Australian team’s pride after the ball tampering scandal in Cape Town.
Several players have told Cricket Australia they don’t want to be part of the same team as the star opening batsman should he return to the side, according to veteran cricket journalist Robert Craddock.
Several players have told Cricket Australia they don’t want to be part of the same team as David Warner (pictured with wife Candice) following his suspension for cheating, veteran cricket journalist Robert Craddock said on Monday
He said the eventual return of the 31-year-old (pictured) from his 12-month suspension is ‘the biggest issue’ for Justin Langer, who is tasked with restoring the Australian team’s pride after the ball tampering scandal in Cape Town
He told SEN’s Whateley on Monday: ‘Langer wants mateship in the team and I don’t believe mateship and Warner are compatible, because half the players can’t stand him, they contacted Cricket Australia saying they didn’t want to play with him again.
‘If he (Langer) wants cultural shift, how do you have cultural shift and Warner in the same team? That’s my question.’
Craddock also questioned if there are any other ‘trouble makers’ within the team apart from Warner.
He added: ‘A lot of people [say]: ‘If you took Warner out of the team.’ Guess what? All your behavioural problems are solved aren’t they?’
‘Half the players can’t stand him, they contacted Cricket Australia saying they didn’t want to play with him again,’ Craddock said of Warner (pictured with wife Candice)
Warner (right) has been suspended since March after a Cricket Australia investigation uncovered him as the ringleader of the ball tampering trio, completed by former captain Steve Smith (left) and talented rookie Cameron Bancroft
Craddock also questioned if there are any other ‘trouble makers’ within the team apart from Warner (pictured)
Warner has been suspended since March after a Cricket Australia investigation uncovered him as the ringleader of the ball tampering trio, completed by former captain Steve Smith and talented rookie Cameron Bancroft.
Their lengthy bans prompted coach Darren Lehmann to tearfully resign at the end of the tour of South Africa.
Their sudden departures left Australian cricket ‘in crisis mode’ and in desperate need to overhaul its perceived win-at-all-costs mentality, Craddock said.
The answer from Cricket Australia was to appoint cricket ‘nice guy’ Langer, who earned the role after an impressive record with Western Australia.
Craddock described him as a ‘very serious’ but ‘spiritual guy’ who will place an emphasis on hard work and camaraderie.
Cricket Australia appointed cricket ‘nice guy’ Langer (pictured), who earned the role after an impressive record with Western Australia
Langer said the door remains open for disgraced trio Warner, Smith and Bancroft, if they meet his new ‘standards and expectations’
After Langer was appointed as coach, he said: ‘If you’ve got that camaraderie, it’s like the glue that keeps everything together, particularly when you’re under the pressure.
‘It can’t be about the individuals, it has to be about the team and if we promote that elite mateship then we’ll be okay.’
Langer also said the door remains open for disgraced trio Warner, Smith and Bancroft, if they meet his new ‘standards and expectations’.
He added: ‘Davey Warner’s [a cricket tragic], he’s a really good young bloke. He made a mistake.’