Cricket Australia's amendment gives David Warner hope of leadership role ban being revoked

The "code of conduct" for players and player support staff has been updated by Cricket Australia (CA), and as a result, those parties may now petition to have long-term sanctions changed.

The change would help Australian batsman and former vice-captain David Warner, who is currently serving a lifetime leadership role ban for allegedly participating in the ball-tampering incident at the Cape Town Test against South Africa in 2018.

The stalwart's playing ban was lifted after a year, and he has since made a strong comeback, taking part in several successful campaigns, including the UAE victory at the 2021 T20 World Cup. However, the leadership ban is still in effect.

Warner might take advantage of the amendment's potential to have his leadership ban lifted, which would allow him to head the national team or his Big Bash League (BBL) franchise going forward.

Following a review by the CA Head of Integrity, Cricket Australia (CA) modified its Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, according to a statement released on Monday. At its board meeting in October, the CA Board asked for a Code of Conduct review. The review's recommendations have been formally approved and accepted.

Players and support personnel can now apply to have long-term sanctions adjusted as a result of the reforms. A three-person Review Panel, made up of independent Code of Conduct Commissioners, will consider any applications and must be persuaded that extraordinary circumstances exist to support changing a sentence.

The length of time that has passed since the sanction was imposed and whether sufficient time has passed to allow for reform or rehabilitation are among the factors CA cited in its statement. "These circumstances and considerations will include whether the subject of the sanction has demonstrated genuine remorse; the subject's conduct and behaviour since the imposition of the sanction; whether rehabilitation programmes have been completed undertaken (if applicable); and the length of time that has passed since the sanction was imposed."

The process is described as one that "acknowledges that Players and Player Support Personnel are capable of genuine reform or rehabilitation and is intended to give the Player or Player Support Personnel an opportunity to resume their previously held positions or responsibilities in specific circumstances," according to the code of conduct.

"The CA Code of Conduct is a crucial component of our ongoing efforts to uphold the integrity of cricket and offers a fair and impartial disciplinary process to deal with improper behaviour. CA examines its Integrity Codes and Policies on a regular basis to make sure they adhere to community expectations "the sentence included