Warner follows Smith and Bancroft, accepts sanction

Australia's David Warner has joined former captain Steve Smith and batsman Cameron Bancroft in accepting sanctions imposed on him by his cricket board for his role in last month's ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Smith and Warner were slapped with 12-months ban, while Bancroft, who was caught using a piece of sandpaper on the ball in the third and penultimate Test match in Cape Town, was suspended for nine months following the scandal which rocked cricket in Australia. "I have let Cricket Australia know that I fully accept the sanctions imposed on me," Warner said on his verified Twitter account Thursday.

I have today let Cricket Australia know that I fully accept the sanctions imposed on me. I am truly sorry for my actions and will now do everything I can to be a better person, teammate and role model.

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 5, 2018

"I am truly sorry for my action and will now do everything I can to be a better person, teammate and role model." Smith and Bancroft confirmed Wednesday that they had accepted the CA sanctions. The trio had until Thursday to appeal their ban. Smith and deputy Warner were stripped of their leadership position for their role in the March 24 incident and are set to lose substantial earning after sponsors dropped them and they were banned from this year's Indian Premier League.

JUST IN: David Warner has accepted his CA-imposed sanction: https://t.co/mgbQ3k7ssz pic.twitter.com/6wvh5Pmn1N

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) April 5, 2018

Smith and Bancroft were also barred from holding leadership position within the Australian team for two years, while Warner will never be able to hold such a position again. The trio returned to Australia at the end of last week and all three gave emotional news conferences in which they accepted full responsibility for their action. The scandal prompted Darren Lehmann, who was cleared of any wrongdoing by the CA, to step down as Australia coach after the fourth and final Test against South Africa.