XtraTime Web Desk: Aussie greats Allan Border and Shane Warne have come in support of David Warner following Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft’s outburst against their former teammate on sandpaper gate episode.
Aaron Finch has also joined hands with the former cricketers in welcoming Warner in the Australian dressing room. Cameron Bancroft and Smith came under fire for their tell-all interviews from Test captaincy great Allan Border who is adamant the duo should have let sleeping dogs lie. Legendary spinner Shane Warne also stuck up for Warner over the bind he’s been put in by teammates and the game following the Sandpapergate incident.
In a major step towards the duo’s reintegration, Finch said he would personally welcome Warner and Smith into his squad to defend the World Cup this winter. “I think that whatever has happened has happened. The punishment has been dealt. They’ve been working really hard off the field to meet every criteria and gone above and beyond everything that has been asked of them to come back and play international cricket again,” said Finch.
Speaking on Fox Cricket’s Come in Spinner, one of the most respected names in cricket — Border — said Smith and Bancroft had failed by choosing to speak out.
“My personal view is I would have preferred the interviews weren’t done,” said Border.
“They’re just rehashing a lot of stuff we already know and what was the point of it all? They could have just admitted they’re all responsible for doing the wrong thing.”
Warne said Australian cricket had unfairly marginalised Warner.
“I feel for Davey Warner because he’s stuck in a real hard position right now,” said Warne.
“Dave Warner might take the option, ‘I don’t want to talk about it, I’ve had enough, I’ve said my piece I just want to get on play cricket.’
“I think this has just resurfaced everything which is a shame. They’ve been through absolute hell let’s start supporting them.”