David Warner’s life ban for cheating may be OVERTURNED as cricket bosses look to revive Big Bash

Four years ago David Warner was issued a lifetime leadership ban for cheating following the sandpaper scandal in South Africa – but that may be lifted this summer in a bid to lift flagging interest in the T20 Big Bash League.

Warner, 35, is currently banned from holding a leadership position of any kind in Australian cricket after he was deemed to be the chief architect of the shameful scenes during a spiteful Test match in Cape Town.

The dynamic batsman was the supposed mastermind behind the plan, which saw Cameron Bancroft caught on camera using sandpaper to illegally alter the shape and movement of the ball when Australia were bowling.

Bancroft was subsequently banned from the sport for nine months, while Warner and then-captain Steve Smith were each banned for 12 months.

Smith was banned from holding a leadership role for two years, while Warner copped a lifetime ban for his role in the saga.

In 2018, David Warner (pictured) was issued a lifetime leadership ban for cheating following the sandpaper scandal in South Africa – but that may be lifted this summer to generate more interest in the BBL

The competition isn’t expected to feature the likes of Aussie Test skipper Pat Cummins (pictured with fiancee Becky Boston) and Mitchell Starc

In a stunning development, it has since emerged Cricket Australia is considering overturning Warner’s leadership ban when the board next meets in July.

If Warner is given the green light to assume a leadership role with one of the Big Bash franchises, it could revive interest in the competition. 

‘I know we’d love to have Dave in the BBL and if there are other things that need to happen to make that possible, that’s for others to resolve,’ BBL chief Alistair Dobson told News Corp.

‘David has been such a champion of Australian cricket and he’s a player that we’d love to have in the BBL. If there’s a way that David could find his way onto a BBL list, I think it would be huge.’

Warner hasn’t played in the BBL since its inaugural season in 2011-12.

News of the possible ban being overturned divided many supporters on social media. 

One fan wrote on Facebook: ‘What a disgrace. Warner should never hold a leadership position again.’

Another added: ‘Australia is such a big country but can’t find new players or captain? Warner already disgraced Australia twice and he is almost 36 years old.’

A third cricket fan backed the possible move, stating: ‘Finally! It’s about time! The man served his punishment!’