Candice Warner slams captaincy ban on husband David for Sandpapergate

Champion Aussie cricket player David Warner could be lost to the BBL if the 'unjust' leadership ban imposed on him for his role in Sandpapergate is not removed, his fuming wife Candice Warner has said.

When Cameron Bancroft was busted after following Warner's instructions to scuff the ball with sandpaper in Cape Town in South Africa in 2018, it sent shockwaves through the sport. 

Warner and then-captain Steve Smith were suspended for one year, and Bancroft was banned for nine months. In addition, Warner was stripped of his leadership role for life, and Smith for two years.

Speaking on Triple M’s Dead Set Legends with Dan, Richard & Candice, Warner discussed the issue because Channel Seven is commencing legal proceedings regarding the $450 million broadcast rights deal with Cricket Australia. 

At the heart of the proceedings is the fact that Channel Seven believes it is not getting value for money with the domestic BBL. 

It has raised the issue of the quality of the tournament and there have been renewed calls for Australia's Test players to be available for the 20-over format.

As it currently stands, Warner would be banned from any leadership role in the BBL which means he is unlikely to take part. 

'I don't like injustice so it does bother me … but it doesn't bother him because he can go and captain in the UAE, he can go captain in India where people appreciate his cricketing brain and what he can bring to a team,' Candice said.

Warner's wife added he had numerous opportunities to take up high-paid captaincy roles in other domestic T20 competitions - roles they had heavily considered as a family. 

'My job wasn't to question my husband, it was about supporting David at that time,' Candice said.

'For me, it was about