Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley advised David Warner against his social media bombshell on Test match eve, adamant a review of ball-tampering sanctions could go ahead without reopening old wounds.
Warner's lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday evening set the scene for a dramatic week in Adelaide, with the opener lashing out at the process an independent panel appointed by CA's integrity commission wanted to take.
The 36-year-old's concerns centred around the fact he claimed the review would have been a public trial into the events of sandpaper-gate, with CA's push for the hearing to be behind closed door's also rejected.
That prompted players' union boss Todd Greenberg to declare on Friday Warner had no choice but to withdraw his application to have his ban lifted, fearing a public lynching and more pain for his family and teammates.
But Hockley rejected that suggestion, stating that while his preference for the hearing to be held in private, it would not have damaged Warner or the team's reputation if it was aired publicly.
The CA CEO argued that Warner would be given the chance to request some parts of the hearing be held behind closed doors, and it would not have been an inquest into Cape Town 2018.
"I disagree. He had a number of options," Hockley said.
"He could have continued with the process and an application could have been made during the hearing to ask for accredited media not to participate (in parts).
"He could have just said 'I am going to withdraw, but I am not going to make a public statement'.
"I did relay that I was concerned I didn't want him to prejudice any future application with public comments.
"But clearly David has felt the need to say some things."
Hockley also rejected claims that the situation had dragged on for nine months, despite the players' union adamant it first approached CA to have Warner's ban reviewed in February.
The CEO instead said the timing was aimed at having the review complete before Warner returned to the Big Bash with Sydney Thunder in January.
He also defended the fact his organisation could not just make a call on Warner's leadership ban itself, arguing an independent panel was supported by Sports Integrity Australia guidelines.
"We really wanted to afford him the opportunity to have the heading looked at to be able to explain how he has grown," Hockley said.
"The process that has been put in place is appropriate.
"It is designed to be fair, transparent. We are disappointed he has chosen to withdraw his application."
