Test captain Pat Cummins has endorsed the prospect of David Warner taking on a joint role as one-day international skipper should Cricket Australia lift his lifetime leadership ban.
Warner was hit with a 12-month playing suspension and lifetime ban on holding any leadership position in Australian cricket in the wake of the 2018 sandpaper scandal in South Africa.
But Aaron Finch’s one-day retirement has thrown Warner’s leadership ban into the spotlight.
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Warner, a former Test and ODI vice-captain, could be set for a sensational return to leadership after the Cricket Australia board requested for the head of integrity to amend the integrity code.
“The amendment would allow a person to request a penalty that they had accepted be reviewed after an appropriate period of time,” a Cricket Australia statement said.
Cummins backed the possibility of Warner’s ban being scrapped when asked on Sunday.
“There’s a few barriers at the moment, but certainly if they were removed there wouldn’t be any qualms from any of the playing or coaching group,” Cummins said.
“Playing every single game isn’t realistic.
“It would be really seamless if you had a committee.
“The style of just about everyone in the team is really similar.
“We’ve got some great leaders in the team, we all get along great.”
While Finch retired from ODI cricket in September, Warner’s opening batting partner committed to the T20 World Cup and could continue in the shortest form beyond the tournament.
A new captain or captains will lead Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
The tournament in India, a place Warner has grown fond of through his Indian Premier League commitments and Australian tours, will likely be the left-hander’s final 50-over World Cup campaign.
“He’d be awesome at it (captaincy),” Cummins said of Warner.
“He’s a leader around our group. Always has been, always will be.
“He’s someone in the Test side I lean on a lot.
“If things change I’m sure he would be someone you would strongly consider to step up if needed.”
Warner told News Corp reporters in September that he wanted to return to leadership.
Warner keen on leading Australia
“Any opportunity you get asked to captain it’s a privilege,” the veteran said.
“For my circumstances, that’s in Cricket Australia’s hands. I can only concentrate on what I have to do, and that’s using the bat and trying to score as many runs as I can.
“My phone’s here (if Cricket Australia wants to offer a leadership role).
“What’s done is done in the past.
“The good thing is there is a new board that has come along.
“I’m always happy to sit down and have a chat, and talk about anything they need to talk about.
“I’m just happy, enjoying my cricket and putting my best foot forward for the team.”
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