- Michael Clarke criticizes David Warner’s victim mentality
- Warner claimed that he is the “only one facing criticism” after “Sandpapergate”
- In 2018, Warner ordered Cameron Bancroft to play in Cape Town.
- Fallout was harsh, Warner, Bancroft and Steve Smith were banned
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has slammed David Warner after the retired batsman insisted he was unfairly targeted in the Sandpapergate cheating scandal that rocked cricket.
Earlier this week, Warner admitted he will never be able to escape his role in the 2018 disgrace during an away series against South Africa, but he will not miss what he perceives as constant criticism.
It came after Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera obeying Warner’s instructions to scrape the ball with sandpaper in Cape Town.
Cricket Australia’s subsequent reaction was severe: Warner and then-captain Steve Smith were suspended for one year, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months.
Additionally, Warner was stripped of his leadership role for life and Smith for two years.
Michael Clarke criticized David Warner after the retired batsman felt he had been unfairly targeted following one of cricket’s biggest cheating scandals in Cape Town.
Warner admitted he will never be able to escape his role in the 2018 sandpaper scandal during a series against South Africa, but he will not waste what he perceives as constant criticism.
Warner, currently playing in the T20 World Cup for Australia, still feels he was scapegoated for the incident that shocked the sport.
The polarizing star remains adamant that he’s been targeted, saying, “I’ve probably been the only one who’s gotten a lot of criticism.”
His comments sparked a scathing response from former teammate Clarke.
“I understand where Davey is coming from and I think some of what he said is pretty fair,” he told ESPN’s Around the Wicket.
‘(But) I just don’t think it’s fair to say he’s the only one who’s gotten over it.
“I think Cameron Bancroft has certainly got over it, and I think the reason he’s not in the Australian Test team is still talked about because of what happened years ago.
“Steve Smith obviously copped and lost the Australian captaincy.
“Davey certainly has, there’s no doubt about it, but I think the timing of his comments (midway through the T20 World Cup) is probably not right.”
David Warner and Michael Clarke together at the crease in a test match against England
Warner is determined to end his international career with Australia on a high, with the T20 World Cup trophy in his sights.
He’s also aware that no matter his batting average, some fans with long memories will always turn their backs on him.
“It’s fine if they want to do that, but I always feel like I’ve taken a lot of pressure off a lot of guys,” he said.
‘But one can only absorb so much. For me, it’s great to go out knowing that I’m not going to take any more (criticism).
“As a cricketer, I was someone who tried to change the game… I was always looking to score runs at a great pace, regardless of the format.”