David Warner begins journey to redemption post ball-tampering scandal

David Warner, former Australian cricket team vice-captain who was known for his on-field aggression, seems to have cooled off following the one-year ban he received from Cricket Australia for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Speaking for the first time in public after his short ball-tampering press conference in Sydney, Warner termed the entire experience quite humbling besides adding that he is enjoying his ‘family’ time off the field.

“It is humbling and overwhelming,” Warner said while talking to The NT News in the Northern Territory.

“Sometimes you sit back and reflect and wonder do people care about you as a person.

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“Sometimes with our society something has to happen for the worst for people to come out and show a lot of support and I think I’ve learned a valuable lesson in this myself for the support I have been given to be on the front foot to help others,” said the 31-year-old.

Thanking his family, Warner said that his time off the field has helped him come out of cricket’s ‘bubble’ and spend time with his daughters Ivy and Indi in the way he was not able to do earlier.

“I think the biggest thing for us has been when you are in a routine you can get caught in a bubble — cricket, hotels, packing your bags, coming home.

“You are not home for long. With an extended period of time you are in a good routine but then it is selfless — kids are a priority — so it’s day care, swimming lessons, gymnastic lessons and then you get your quality time together as parents.

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“Candice and I do all those things together. We take them to these things together — pick them up together.

“I always make sure I am able to do it all the time. I am making time now and it is worthwhile.

“I’ve missed that part until now where the kids run up to the gate saying, ‘Mummy and daddy are here’, and I am really enjoying and embracing that,” he was quoted as saying by the Australian website.

Warner was among the three Australian players - including former captain Steven Smith and opener Cameron Bancroft - who were found guilty in the ball-tampering scandal.

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While Warner and Smith were handed a one-year ban, Bancroft walked away with relatively less severe nine-month sanction.

As a consequence of the ban, Warner and Smith were also barred by the BCCI from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 while Bancroft lost his English county deal.

Like Warner, Smith also came out of his break a few days ago and thanked his well-wishers and family for supporting him.