In the face of criticism, Channel Nine has defended its decision to employ the banned cricketer David Warner as part of its commentary team for Australia’s upcoming one-day international series in England.
Warner, who is serving a 12-month suspension following the ball tampering scandal in South Africa, will not travel to the UK, but will analyse the action from a studio in Sydney.
He has been banned from international, state and Big Bash League cricket but Cricket Australia’s sanctions do not preclude him from playing other levels of cricket – or working in the media.
Sign up to receive the latest Australian sports stories every day
Warner, acknowledged as the architect of the ball tampering affair that rocked Australian sport earlier this year, was accused of bringing shame on the game, but Tim Gilbert, Nine’s Today show’s sports presenter, said on Tuesday he did not know why there had been a backlash to his hiring.
“We’ve been criticised by some, but I don’t understand why,” said Gilbert. “[Warner] has been banned from playing cricket, I get that. But has he been banned from earning money, banned from working? He has a family... They did the wrong thing, they’ve owned up, they’ve fessed up, hands up in the air and they’re banned... Not banned from any commentary boxes... I can’t see the criticism.”
Today co-host, Karl Stefanovic, said Warner’s involvement in the station’s cricket coverage would allow viewers an insight into “what happened and what his thought process is”, with his fellow commentators given the chance to question him about events on Cape Town. “I can’t wait to hear from him... I think it’s an astounding appointment,” said Stefanovic.
Warner will offer his expert analysis during the second ODI against England on Saturday in Cardiff as he prepares to make his playing return in a T20 tournament in Toronto later this month.
“People have tried to paint Dave as the villain in all this, but he’s been hurting as much as the others,” Nine’s director of sport, Tom Malone, said. “He just wants to atone for his mistakes and move on – I hope Australia gives all of them that chance.”
Australia spinner Ashton Agar, who will face England when the series gets underway at the Oval on Wednesday, said he was happy the controversial opener is in the right head space again following the huge fall-out from the incident in Johannesburg in March.
“I only became aware [of the appointment] yesterday,” Agar said. “For him as a person that’s a great thing to be back around cricket. He would have been mentally really hurt by that, his family would have been hurt, everyone was hurt. So for him to be back around the game he loves is only good.”
