David Warner feels singled out by a certain segment of the cricket world, even after the notorious Sandpapergate affair has been over for six years. According to the southpaw, only he is still getting a lot of heat, while other players are shielded in other ways.
A year-long ban from professional cricket followed the Sandpapergate scandal for Warner and Steve Smith, who was leading the team against South Africa in 2018. When they played England a year later, both were greeted with loud jeers upon their return. Over time, Smith took charge of the national team once more, but Warner, despite discussions, was never granted the chance.
In addition, the 37-year-old stated that he has taken all of the criticism over the years and that he will no longer put up with it. Warner believes he has also relieved some of the players’ anxiety and spoken out against the unfair treatment he has been subjected to.
For me, it’s all about making progress. I knew that every time I turned around, my back was against the wall. Throughout my career, I took my share of hits. After serving his 12-month exile, Warner was cited by the Daily Mail as saying, “I think I’ve been the only one who’s ever taken a lot of flak, from people who don’t like the Australian cricket team or don’t like me.”
“I’ve always been the one who took responsibility for it. All right, that’s fine if they want to do that, but I always feel like I’ve relieved a lot of guys of a lot of strain, and I think it makes sense that I’ve been that one to be able to take that on. But one is only able to take in so much. I think it’s fantastic to go out knowing that I won’t be copping anymore,” he continued.
David Warner’s international career will come to an end during the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. Even as one of the game’s legends, he predicts that the criticism will not end and will carry on for another 20 to 30 years. He anticipates that true cricket fans will remember him for his brutality as a batter rather than the controversy.
“In my opinion, that will constantly come up when people discuss me in 20 or 30 years. That sandpaper controversy will never go away. However, if they truly are cricket tragics and are among my closest admirers, then they will always regard me as that cricket player.
“An individual who attempted to alter the gameplay. Someone who made an effort to emulate the openers who came before me, score runs quickly, and alter the course of Test cricket. Be the guy who transitioned from Twenty20 to Test cricket by opening and batting at No. 6,” he said.
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