T20 WC: 'I've always been...': Outgoing David Warner on facing more flak on Sandpapergate than peers

David Warner feels the infamous ball-tampering controversy of 2018 dubbed'Sandpapergate' would always cast a shadow on his cricketing career, which is set to end soon. Warner, who retired from Tests and ODIs, is set to call it quits from international cricket altogether after the end of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, being held in the West Indies and the USA.

Reflecting on his decorated career, the Aussie opener said he felt the 2018 infamous incident remains the only blemish in his career, in which he has won the WTC, ODI WC and T20 WC for the national side.

Talking to the reporters ahead of Mitchell Marsh-led Australia's Super 8 campaign in the T20 WC, Warner said, "My back was always up against the wall when I came back, and I knew that. I copped my fair share over my career. I've probably been the only one that's ever copped a lot of flak, whether it's people who don't like the Australian cricket team or don't like me."

"I've always been that person who has copped it. I always feel like I've taken a lot of pressure off a lot of guys as well and I think, understandably, I've been that person to be able to absorb that. But one can only absorb (so much). For me, it's great to go out knowing I'm not going to cop it anymore. I felt I had great support from, especially our coaching group now and selectors have been great. All in all, I've had a privileged career, since 2018 I've really enjoyed that time coming back and just being around the guys and training hard and working as hard as I can."

What was the 'Sandpapergate'?

During Australia's tour of South Africa in early 2018, Steve Smith-led visitors were involved in a four-match Test series where the Sandpaper fiasco (i.e. the ball-tampering scandal) occurred, during the penultimate Test in Cape Town. Australian opener Cameron Bancroft was caught by television cameras trying to rough up one side of the ball with sandpaper -- in order to make the red cherry swing in flight.

Then captain Smith and vice-captain Warner were also found to be involved in the ball-tampering incident. As a result, all three received unprecedented sanctions from Cricket Australia (CA).

Smith and Warner were handed a one-year international ban each whereasBancroft faced a nine-month suspension. Warner was regarded as the mastermind behind the whole scandal.

Warner added, "It's going to be inevitable that when people talk about me in 20 or 30 years' time, there will always be that sandpaper scandal. But for me, if they're real cricket tragics, and they love cricket, and my closest supporters, they will always see me as that cricketer. Someone who tried to change the game. Someone who tried to follow in the footsteps of the openers before me and tried to score runs at a great tempo and change Test cricket in a way. Be that person who went from T20 cricket to play Test cricket - batting at No. 6 and then opening. For me, hopefully I can be remembered for that, but I understand 2018. It always comes up, and it's unfortunate - but it is what it is."

Warner has been one of the all-time greats for Australia, amassing8,786 and6,932 runs in Tests and ODIs, respectively. In T20Is, the swashbuckling left-hander has scored3,215 runs. The 37-year-old has 49 international tons under his belt. He will look to guide Australia to their second T20 WC title later this month and sign off on a glorious high.