Aussie icon Ian Chappell says there’s NO WAY Cricket Australia should lift David Warner’s captaincy ban and accuses governing body of ‘protecting its own backside’
- Former test captain Ian Chappell has weighed into David Warner leadership saga
- Declared Warner ‘too old’ to captain his nation, then called out Cricket Australia
- Felt governing body are reactive, must improve image with the Australian public
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Australian sporting great Ian Chappell believes David Warner‘s lifetime captaincy ban should never be lifted – before accusing Cricket Australia of ‘protecting its own backside’.
Chappell, 71, has never been shy when it comes to voicing his opinions – and believes the opening batsman, 36, is ‘too old’ to lead his nation.
‘If Cricket Australia were to lift the ban on Warner, what’s that going to do? I mean, you’re not going to appoint Warner captain of any Australian team, are you? He’s too old,’ Chappell told Wide World of Sports.
‘And he’s not going to be given the role because the captain has got to be young enough to be able to lead by example, and those days are gone for David.
‘I think David probably wanted the leadership for his BBL team (the Sydney Thunder) so he could help them.
Australian sporting great Ian Chappell believes David Warner’s lifetime captaincy ban following events in South Africa in 2018 should never be lifted
Chappell also declared Warner is ‘too old’ to captain Australia, before slamming Cricket Australia for their poor leadership
‘He would have been a very good leader for them, he thinks very aggressively about the game. Whatever leadership position he had, he would be good at.’
Chappell went on to state CA – who issued Warner a lifetime leadership ban following his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa five years ago – refused to rescind the suspension as they always ‘look after themselves, they don’t look after the player.’
Warner, 36, was banned for 12 months following the events in Cape Town as was then captain Steve Smith.
Additionally, former opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was issued a nine-month suspension – but all seems to be forgiven when it comes to Smith.
With Pat Cummins injured against the West Indies for the recent test in Adelaide, Smith was the fill in skipper.
The decision raised plenty of eyebrows, with many cricket fans in Australia feeling Warner has been hard done by and different rules apply for different players.
Chappell then singled out CA, pointing to how poorly they are received by the Australian public.
‘This (Warner saga) is just another example of Cricket Australia not being very good, it has been handled badly,’ he said.
‘My point is that Cricket Australia will never do anything in the interest of the players or the player; they will only ever do anything to protect their own backside.’
Cricket Australia’s handling of the Tim Paine sexting scandal and Justin Langer’s controversial axing as head coach were two examples Chappell cited as further proof of the governing body’s woeful leadership.
Sacking embattled CEO Nick Hockley also isn’t the answer, according to Chappell.
More Stories
Alex Carey hits teammate Todd Murphy with an icy snub at the fifth Ashes Test – leaving cricket fans stunned: ‘They must take it in turns to take his lunch money’
Steve Smith sends James Anderson a very cheeky message as Aussies form Ashes guard of honour for retiring England great Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad becomes the second player to hit his final ball in Test cricket for six as Usman Khawaja becomes leading run-scorer in the series