I have always copped a lot of flak: David Warner reflects on Sandpaper saga

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 18, 2024 13:28 IST

Australian opener David Warner felt that the infamous 'Sandpaper Gate' scandal would always cast a shadow on his cricketing career for years. Warner is set to retire from international cricket for Australia after the T20 World Cup 2024. Amid impending retirement, Warner admitted that the Sandpaper gate from 2018 will always stay as a scar in his much-decorated cricketing career. The southpaw will call a time on his international career that spanned 15 years, where he featured in 3 World Cup wins for Australia.

Warner put down curtains on his Test and ODI career in January 2024 with 49 international tons to his name. However, his much celebrated career was tainted after the infamous Sandpaper Gate as he suffered a one-year ban and was demoted from the vice-captain role for the Australian team. After serving a one-year ban, Warner returned to the national team with positive returns.

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"Have copped alot of flak"

However, Warner revealed that the much-awaited return was not a bed of roses for him as it might have seemed to the outside world.

"My back was always up against the wall when I came back, and I knew that. I copped my fair share over my career. I've probably been the only one that's ever copped a lot of flak, whether it's people who don't like the Australian cricket team or don't like me," Warner told the reporters in Antigua.

"I've always been that person who has copped it. I always feel like I've taken a lot of pressure off a lot of guys as well and I think, understandably, I've been that person to be able to absorb that. But one can only absorb (so much). For me, it's great to go out knowing I'm not going to cop it anymore."

"I felt I had great support from, especially our coaching group now and selectors have been great. All in all, I've had a privileged career, since 2018 I've really enjoyed that time coming back and just being around the guys and training hard and working as hard as I can," he added.

'Sandpaper Gate' continues to stay with Warner

Warner is just 67 runs short of completing 19000 runs and stands only behind Ricky Ponting among the all-time top scorers.

The 37-year-old felt that when people reflect on his career, his batting records and contributions will always be paired with the Sandpaper saga that happened in 2018 during Australia's 3d Test match against South Africa.

"It's going to be inevitable that when people talk about me in 20 or 30 years' time, there will always be that sandpaper scandal. But for me, if they're real cricket tragics, and they love cricket, and my closest supporters, they will always see me as that cricketer. Someone who tried to change the game. Someone who tried to follow in the footsteps of the openers before me and tried to score runs at a great tempo and change Test cricket in a way. Be that person who went from T20 cricket to play Test cricket - batting at No. 6 and then opening. For me, hopefully I can be remembered for that, but I understand 2018. It always comes up, and it's unfortunate - but it is what it is."

Australia is placed in Group 1 of the Super 8s alongside India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Mitchell Marsh-led team will take on Bangladesh in Antigua on June 21, Friday.