David Warner reveals he couldn’t get out of bed as ball-tampering scandal took massive toll
After blasting his first century since the ball-tampering scandal saw him miss a year of international cricket, David Warner has revealed there were times he struggled to even get out of bed.
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David Warner has revealed he struggled to get out of bed last year amid fears he would never play for Australia again.
Warner broke his silence after crushing Pakistan with a maiden century scored in England as Australia jumped to 3-1 at the World Cup.
“There was always that (fear) going through my mind,” Warner said.
“That’s what drove me to keep being as fit as I can and to keep scoring as many runs as I can in the Twenty20 tournaments that I was playing in.
“I was always coming back to international cricket if selected.”
Warner’s 15th ODI century was marked with his trademark sprint and leap into the air in Taunton.
Warner kissed the Australian badge on his helmet and then shared a long and emotional hug with teammate Shaun Marsh.
“The thing that kept me going was my wife and my kids,” Warner said.
“My wife is just, she’s 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 — she got me out of bed a lot in those first 12 weeks, and got me back running and training hard as I could.”
Warner’s wife, Candice, will give birth to their third child in London on June 30, the day after the Aussies face New Zealand at Lord’s.
Warner holed out for 107 (111) against Pakistan and blamed himself for Australia’s collapse.
Australia was 4/277 after 42 overs but put on just 30 more runs.
While Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft gave tell-all TV interviews last December, Warner stayed silent and refused to speak early in Australia’s World Cup campaign.
“I didn’t need to say anything,” he said.
“What was said was said back in those press conferences, and now it’s about looking forward.”
Warner said that while he could barely hear the boos, the hostile crowds were “egging us on a lot and makes us knuckle down and try to score more runs”.
Warner conceded he had “no rhythm” when he scored an unbeaten 89 against Afghanistan and was “a bit lazy” when he went out for three against West Indies.
The destructive opener told teammates he was “timid” against India, crediting their straight bowling for his sluggish half-century.
“But to come out here play the way I know I can play was awesome,” he said.
“I was elated. It was a bit of relief in a way, but I still think I left a lot out there. You know, 70 balls to go, I probably hold myself responsible for the way we fell apart.”
Pat Cummins said Warner was angry at himself when he returned to the dressing room after getting out.
“We were so pumped for him. Obviously being a massive 14-15 months for him,” Cummins said.
“His mindset, he’s got to get that back. We were all so pumped for him.”
Warner is being heavily courted by Big Bash League clubs but said he was yet to open negotiations with anyone.
“I’m here, I think we’re available for it. But I’m yet to put my hand up to see if I’m going to play,” he said.
“I’ll sort of look over the summer, see how much cricket is being played.
“We’ve got obviously this World Cup to get over and the Ashes, so I’ll have to think about that hardly.”
WARNER BY THE NUMBERS …
*15th ODI century, one behind Adam Gilchrist (16). Mark Waugh (18) and Ricky Ponting (29) top the list.
*36 international centuries, drawing level with Michael Clarke and fourth on Australia’s list (also topped by Ponting’s 70).
*First ODI century since September, 2017
*Third consecutive century against Pakistan
*Australia’s first century at this World Cup
*Third half-century this World Cup, where he sits second on the runs list (255)
David Warner has given a young Aussie cricket fan a moment he will never forget at the World Cup.
Fresh off a match winning century against Pakistan, the master blaster was awarded the man of the match trophy for his 107 runs off 111 balls.
While the Taunton crowd was predominantly dominated by Pakistan fans, it didn’t stop Warner from spotting some green and gold in the stands as he made his way from the ground.
In an incredible gesture, Warner then passed on his man of the match trophy to the young fan who was decked out from head to toe in Australian gear.
“I (feel) really awesome. It is really good,” the youngster said after the match.
“We were just waving the flag and he just came over and gave it to us.”
Making the moment even more special, the youngster said he was a huge Warner fan.
Originally published as David Warner reveals he couldn’t get out of bed as ball-tampering scandal took massive toll
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