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David Warner set to answer questions about Cape Town cheating

Warner has played 74 Test matches for Australia.

Warner has played 74 Test matches for Australia. Photo: Getty

David Warner is expected to properly address the ball-tampering saga on Saturday for the first time since being accused of masterminding the scandal.

The dumped vice-captain has scheduled a press conference for Saturday morning at the Sydney Cricket Ground, marking the first time he will take questions from the media since he allegedly instructed Cameron Bancroft to tamper with the ball in South Africa.

Warner, who has been suspended by Cricket Australia for 12 months, did not take questions when he landed back in Australia on Thursday night.

He earlier apologised for his “part” in the ball-tampering scandal that Cricket Australia claims he concocted.

The opener broke his silence on Thursday afternoon, acknowledging the ball-tampering had “damaged cricket” and was a “stain on the game”.

“To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney,” he said in a statement.

“Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it.

“I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans.

“It’s a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy.”

Warner, 31, then said he would make further comment in the near future – but that a period of reflection was his first priority.

“I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisors,” he said. “You will hear from me in a few days.”

According to Cricket Australia (CA), Warner developed “a plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball”, provided “instruction to a junior player to carry out a plan” regarding it and then demonstrated “how it could be done”.

They also said Warner failed to “report to voluntarily report his knowledge of the plan after the match” as Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft – also suspended for the Cape Town farce – fronted the media.

As a result, he was suspended from playing for Australia and New South Wales for 12 months and was stripped of the Twenty20 captaincy, with CA adding he “will not be considered for team leadership positions in the future”.

They were particularly damning comments from the governing body, and Warner’s eventual response was eagerly anticipated.

No IPL for Warner

Warner was banned from the 2018 season of the Indian Premier League, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced on Wednesday.

Warner was captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad and has been very successful in the Twenty20 league, sitting fifth in the all-time leading run-scorers.

Smith was also banned from the 2018 IPL campaign.

Both players were set to make $2.4 million for playing in the competition.

The financial fallout for Warner has continued throughout the week, with electronics company LG Australia and sportswear company ASICS both terminating agreements with the batsman.

Warner will be free to play grade cricket in Australia throughout the duration of his ban.

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