AN AUSSIE WARNING
Opener back in form with ton.. all thanks to his wife Candice
DAVID WARNER credited his wife for his first international century since returning from a balltampering ban after inspiring Australia to victory over Pakistan.
The left-handed opener, who served a 12-month suspension for his part in the sandpaper scandal against South Africa, smashed 107 from 111 balls to pave the way for the defending champions’ 41-run success at Taunton.
Warner fought back tears when apologising for his wrongdoing at an emotional press conference in
March 2018.
The 32-year-old admitted that he suffered with motivation during his lengthy enforced lay-off and said wife Candice was responsible for keeping him going.
“I think going through those tough times and sort of regrouping with myself to put myself in the best position to come back to international cricket, I did everything I could,” said Warner.
“I really, really knuckled down and trained my backside off. I was always coming back to international cricket, if selected.
“The thing that kept me going was my wife and my kids – I got great support at home, my family.
“My wife is just my rock, she’s unbelievable, she’s determined, disciplined, selfless and I hold a lot of credit to her.
“She’s a strong woman and she got me out of bed a lot in those first 12 weeks, got me back running and training as hard as I could and prepared for the other formats of the game that
I was playing.
“It was just to maintain my level of fitness and hard work and she really nailed that into me.
“To come out here and play the way I know I can play was awesome. I was elated. It was a bit of relief in a way.”
Warner’s opening partnership of 146 with captain Aaron Finch, who made 82, was the highest of the competition as Australia finished on 307. Pakistan’s chase ended on 266 with 26 balls remaining.
Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said: “I’m very disappointed. We lost three wickets in 15 balls and that’s why we lost.
“We conceded too many runs in the first 20 overs apart from Mohammad
Amir.”