Sydney Thunder make call on David Warner's captaincy return for Big Bash League

David Warner will not captain the Sydney Thunder upon his return to the BBL this summer.

The Thunder wanted Warner - who has not played in the BBL since its third season in December 2013 - to deputise for Jason Sangha, but haven't heard from Cricket Australia about whether or not that would be permitted.

This is despite the governing body recently changing their code of conduct to allow players to appeal penalties on grounds of good behaviour.

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Sydney Thunder boss Andrew Gilchrist told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age they couldn't consider Warner without an official change of heart from CA.

"As far as we're concerned, there hasn't been a resolution with Dave's ban, so we've gone with Jase Sangha ... Dave isn't available, so he wasn't considered in that regard," he said.

"Jase has been on the radar since he captained last Big Bash, he did an outstanding job, and he really impressed (coach) Trevor Bayliss.

"To be honest, Jase is the future of our club."

Sangha and Warner played together at Randwick-Petersham while Warner was completing his ban from the game.

"He's won the Indian Premier League captaining the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past," Sangha said at Monday's launch of the BBL.

"He's a very smart cricketer, and anyone would be happy to play under him as captain.

"His tactical awareness about the game is second to none. If he wanted to come back and captain, he can have it.

"He's the type of person who will always sit down and want to have a chat and give feedback to players.

He's also a bit of a joker in the room - he'll bring that calmness and bit of fun, but also his cricket smarts."

The Thunder will kick off the BBL season in Canberra next Tuesday against the Stars.