David Warner has taken to social media for the first time since the cricket ball tampering scandal that rocked Australia and the world.
Sharing a note on Twitter, the 31-year-old issued an apology — without actually admitting to what he had done.
“To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney,” he wrote. “Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it.”
He noted that he was aware of the pain and disappointment he had caused fans of the sport and the impact his mistake will have on his life going forward.
“I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans,” he continued. “Its a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy [sic].”
Upon his return to Australia, Warner said he would be focusing on himself and surrounding himself with his loved ones.
“I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers,” he said. “You will hear from me in a few days.”
Fans were divided over the apology, with one message on Twitter reading: “Public apology and acceptance of responsibility is a very good start to redemption. Apology accepted”. Another cricket fan didn’t accept the apology and simply wrote: “Shame on you …you should not even think of playing cricket again. This is not the first time you have done something weird, you and some other Australian crickets don’t have manners. You never believe in you skills, you always try to depend on sledging, ball tempering and so on”.
Warner’s apology comes a day after he and Steve Smith were awarded one year bans by Cricket Australia for cheating in the cricket match against South Africa last week. Both have been sanctioned for the nationally cursed behaviour that has drawn unwavering attention across Australia since Sunday.
The pair had already been stood down from their roles as Captain and Vice-Captain of the Australian team and evidenced as having ordered Cameron Bancroft to tamper with the ball during the third test against South Africa. It’s hit Warner particularly tough, with Nine News reporting that he is considering legal action against his ban.
In addition to their ban from playing, both Warner and Smith have been banned from captaining Australia for two years.
On Thursday morning, Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann advised the public not to be too hard on the men, noting that they’re “not bad people”. He said that while he was “embarrassed” and “disappointed”, the players simply made a grave mistake.
“These are young men and I hope people will give them a second chance,” he said. Still, sponsors have been ditching Warner and Smith in droves, with many around the country in an uproar over the scandal.
Despite the public’s continued anger, cricket’s elite have started to taper their criticism over fears for the three men’s mental health.