‘CA renowned for protecting own interests, not of players’- Australian legend Ian Chappell in support of David Warner, lashes out at Cricket Australia

Legendary Australian cricketer Ian Chappel has come out in support of David Warner after the leadership ban saga took another turn. Just last week, Warner withdrew the application for overturning the leadership ban.

Warner said that the review panel wanted him to go through ‘public lynching’ and he didn’t want to be part of the ‘media circus.’ He also said that he was not prepared to let his family be the ‘washing machine for cricket’s dirty laundry.’ Chappel is the latest to come to Warner’s support after Michael Clarke had done the same earlier.

“I couldn’t be happier that David Warner told Cricket Australia the equivalent of “go and get stuffed” when he went public about his decision to withdraw his request for a review of his captaincy ban,” Chappell wrote in a column for ESPNCricinfo. Chappel also suggested young players be thankful that Warner has exposed CA’s tendencies.

“This indicated Warner – who had been advised by CA against a public outburst — didn’t trust the authorities to be mindful of his interests. It was a wise decision by Warner as CA is renowned for only protecting their own interests, not those of players.” “Young players should be thankful Warner has exposed CA’s tendencies for back-side protecting. They need to keep it in mind for the future.

“Most importantly, though, Warner’s withdrawal of his review highlights how appalling the original decision to award him a lifetime leadership ban was,” the cricketer-turned-commentator observed.

It was Smith’s job to know what his players are upto- Chappell

Chappel also noted that CA gave different punishments to Steve Smith and Warner despite both knowing of the plan and Smith being the captain of the team.

“Cheating is indefensible but so also is Smith as Australia captain saying ‘I don’t want to know’ when he walked past Warner and Bancroft, who were deep in discussion in the dressing room before they went ahead with the plan to tamper with the ball,” the 79-year-old wrote.

“As a captain, it was Smith’s job to know what his players were up to. If their motive was illegal, he needed to put a quick stop to any shenanigans.