Sydney Thunder general manager, and former Australia and New South Wales pace bowler, Trent Copeland has labelled the appeal process held in 2022 on David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban as a “train wreck”.

Copeland, who was speaking to media at the announcement of Warner’s ban being lifted on Friday, has played an integral role in supporting the former Australian opener through the legacy-protecting process of having the sanction – which was imposed upon him after the sandpaper scandal in South Africa in 2018 – removed by Cricket Australia.

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Warner withdrew his initial appeal two years ago because he said the review panel wanted “to conduct a public spectacle”, but this around a three-person independent panel found in his favour courtesy of a more thorough process, according to Copeland.

“I think the timing of the last time (didn’t work), but also maybe the learnings from that time (helped) given it was a bit of a train wreck,” Copeland said.

“This time around it was really methodical, well-planned and as you (the media) have all seen this is really the first anyone has heard of it this week. It needed to be that way so that the legal and independent process could actually happen without any interjection.

“It was also quite lengthy so it could not have happened in between Test matches as was proposed last time around.”

Copeland expressed that the panel would not have reached their verdict if not for Warner clearly demonstrating his remorse for his actions that contributed to the sandpaper saga.

The former teammates have known one another for more than 20 years and Copeland believes he has witnessed a “real shift” in Warner since he became father to his three daughters.

In the six and a half years since Cape Town, Copeland said Warner has given back to the cricket community by playing NSW Premier Cricket and doing community services, which showed his remorse as well as his efforts to teach his daughters respect and what it means to be part of a team.

“This would have happened if he had not of showed that (remorse) over many, many years. Six and a half years is the term since that day,” Copeland said.

“Quite simply that independent panel would not have granted this amendment had he not showed that (remorse) in spades.”

Warner has been determined to also not leave the game with a sour taste in the mouth of Australian cricket fans.

The left-hander has retired from international cricket, but is locked in to play for the Thunder in the Big Bash for the next two seasons, and he wants cricket lovers to remember the good times when they reflect on his career.

“I think that was actually a large part of the motivation for Dave (how his career will be perceived by fans). If that’s a lifelong ban, that’s still over him when he’s 50 and 60, it would just never go away. It may never go away. But I think at least this gives it a shot,” Copeland said.

“(Instead) it’s what cricketer was he? What type of player was he? And really he changed the game. He’s a part of many that have but the way he played in Test cricket when he first started (changed the game). Debuting for Australia at the MCG, smacking Dale Steyn around before he’d even played a first-class game for New South Wales, that’s what we want to remember about David Warner. Not the other stuff.”

The removal of the ban also gives Warner the chance to pursue different opportunities in life after his playing days.

He could enter into coaching, selecting or the business side of the game in Australia.

Although unlikely, Copeland said the pair had even joked about him running the nation’s governing body.

“We were joking the other day that this leaves on the table that he could be the CEO of (Cricket) Australia,” Copeland said with a laugh.

WARNER’S LIFETIME LEADERSHIP BAN LIFTED AFTER ‘REAL SHIFT’ REVEALED

David Warner’s leadership ban is over.

The former Australian opener is clear to once again take on leadership roles within Australian cricket after the lifetime ban placed on him following the 2018 sandpaper scandal was unanimously lifted by an independent panel.

The ending of his ban comes with immediate effect which means Warner is free to captain or take on other leadership position with the Sydney Thunder in this summer’s Big Bash League.

But the decision comes too late for the soon to be 38-year-old’s hopes of one day leading Australia again after he retired from Test cricket in January and from international white ball cricket after the T20 World Cup in June.

Warner challenged the ban and appeared before the independent three-member panel – comprised of Alan Sullivan KC, Jeff Gleeson KC and Jane Seawright – earlier this month and successfully presented his case.

The panel agreed with Warner’s submission that the sanction placed on him six and a half years ago had “achieved its purpose”.

“The respectful and contrite tone of his (Warner’s) responses, as well as the content impressed the Review Panel and led it to the unanimous view that he was sincere and genuine in acknowledging responsibility for the conduct and in his statement that he had extreme remorse for his conduct,” the panel said in its decision published on Friday.

“Mr Warner’s conduct and behaviour since the imposition of the sanction has been excellent and he appears to have made a substantial change, one example of which is that he no longer sledges or tries to provoke the opposing team.

“The Review Panel is more than satisfied that Mr Warner will not engage in any conduct similar to that which occurred in 2018 which resulted in the sanction and that the sanction has thus had the relevant quality of specific deterrence.”

Cricket Australia had not opposed Warner’s challenge to the ban, and confirmed that he can now take on leadership roles at all levels of Australian cricket.

“In 2022 we updated the Code of Conduct to ensure there was a fair and rigorous process in place for all players and player support personnel to have long-term sanctions reviewed,” Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley said.

“I am pleased David has chosen to have his sanction reviewed and that he will be eligible to take up leadership positions in Australian Cricket this summer.”

Warner has captained the Sydney Thunder in the past and was accompanied by Thunder general manager, and former New South Wales and Australia pace bowler, Trent Copeland to the hearing.

He also received support from current Australian Test captain Pat Cummins, Australian coach Andrew McDonald, Australian cricket legend Greg Chappell and Federation of International Cricketers’ Association president, and former Australian women’s captain, Lisa Sthalekar in the form of written references.

New Zealand Test batter and Warner’s former IPL teammate Kane Williamson even contributed two letters of support.

“There has been a real shift in Dave, his demeanour, how he carries himself,” Copeland told the panel.

“It’s had a profound impact on him and certain behaviours, if you will, prior to 2018 that Dave was referencing, and … the sledging or the you know, other things that might come naturally to professional cricket, there’s been a real line in the sand that just does not appear anymore with David Warner on a cricket field.”