Justin Langer has backed David Warner to return to Australia duties in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal, describing him as a "really good" person who made a mistake.
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The newly-appointed national coach has signalled that Warner, along with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, will be given the chance to again represent their country upon serving the suspensions handed down after the Cape Town saga.
Smith and Warner were stripped of the captaincy and vice-captaincy and handed 12-month bans, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months for bringing the game into disrepute during Australia's tour of South Africa.
Warner last month admitted he was "resigned to the fact" he may never play for Australia again after being identified as the mastermind of the tampering plans.
But Langer, who has been announced as Australia's new coach after the resignation of Darren Lehmann, says Warner's cards haven't been marked.
"He's a really good young bloke and he made a mistake," Langer said on Thursday.
"I love the way he plays his cricket.
"The way he runs between the wickets, the way he fields, the way he bats - they're things that for the less-trained eye, you might not respect as much.
"Has he got areas to get better at? Yep ... we've all got areas we can get better at.
"If we can keep mentoring them and helping them, and they want to keep getting better and they want to meet the standards of the Australian cricket team, then of course they'll be welcomed back."
Langer has a close relationship with Bancroft, having overseen the 25-year-old's rise to the national team during his six-year stint as coach of Western Australia.
The former Test opener earlier this year described Bancroft as the heartbeat of the Warriors side, saying he could become the same influential figure within the Australian set-up if given the chance.
Langer said he was shocked his former charge had become embroiled in cheating.
"Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith literally, besides Mike Hussey, love the game more than anyone I know," he said.
"They are cricket tragics and they're great kids. That's why it's such a surprise they made the mistake they did.
"We've all made mistakes. We can all get better at things."
Australian Associated Press
