How manager to the stars James Erskine helped rebuild David Warner’s career after the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal left the Australian star batsman with a VERY uncertain future
- James Erskine was tasked with rebuilding David Warner’s reputation
- Followed ‘Sandpapergate’ in South Africa in March 2018
- Manager of the Stars was impressed by Warner’s determination
- Warner, 37, will play his final Test for Australia at the SCG
After the infamous scenes in Cape Town in 2018, which led to David Warner receiving a 12-month ban from the sport, rebuilding his tattered image was crucial.
Enter manager to the stars James Erskine.
Having overseen the late Shane Warne – no stranger to drama himself – there was no better man for the job.
Erskine told Warner to pay his dues after the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal and try to give back to the game.
Playing cricket in Sydney with Randwick Petersham should not be seen as a chore, it was an opportunity to provide Warner with perspective.
David Warner had to rebuild his image after the infamous scenes in Cape Town in 2018, which saw him banned from the sport for 12 months
Manager to the Stars James Erskine was tasked with repairing Warner’s damaged reputation
Erskine also thanked Warner’s wife Candice (pictured right) for her continued support
Appreciate what you have and don’t let it slip through your fingers a second time.
Oh, and sell the Bentley.
‘After one of our conversations I realized he owned a Bentley. I said, ‘By the way, one last thing: lose the Bentley,'” Erskine told 3AW radio.
“Four days later he arrived in a Toyota truck, so I thought that was pretty impressive.”
Erskine also called Warner’s wife Candice his rock and does not believe the outgoing batsman – who played his last Test in Sydney – would have returned without her continued support.
“I couldn’t praise Candice more highly. “I have a lot of time for her,” he said.
“To be honest, I don’t think David would have gone through all of this and be the person he is if Candice hadn’t been his wife.”
Warner will resume his retirement at six not on day two of the third Test against Pakistan at SCG on Thursday.
A century in front of his family and friends would be the ultimate way to go out – and you get the feeling that the working-class boy in Matraville is about to write his own sports script.
Warner was dismissed for 34 off 68 balls before lunch, and received a standing ovation when he returned to the pavilion, possibly for the last time at Test level.