Canada Global T20: David Warner opens up on long road back to redemption after ball-tampering scandal

THE sight of Steve Smith and David Warner enjoying a coffee together in Toronto yesterday morning provided Australian cricket a glimmer of light at the end of the darkness.

David Warner didn’t get to spend too much time at the crease. Picture: Getty.

IT was the breakfast that many thought could not happen.

But the sight of Steve Smith and David Warner enjoying a coffee together in Toronto yesterday morning provided Australian cricket a glimmer of light at the end of the darkness.

Australia has just been whitewashed in brutal fashion by England, confirming what was probably already obvious — the national team looks almost certain to be a shell of its former self until Smith and Warner’s 12-month bans conclude.

However, even when that date arrives, question marks linger around how will key relationships within the team be able to pick up from where they left off?

Emotions were so raw, the scrutiny so intense and the ramifications so life-changing at the height of the crisis, that reports emerged in South Africa of rifts emerging inside the Australian dressing room.

Smith and Warner flew home to Australia on separate flights even though they arrived at Sydney airport on the same night.

David Warner didn’t get to spend too much time at the crease. Picture: Getty.

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New skipper Tim Paine and other senior players like Josh Hazlewood insisted in the weeks that followed that time heals all wounds and that there was no bad blood.

But actions always speak louder than words, and the reconnecting of Smith and Warner in the unlikely surrounds of the Global Twenty20 League this week could be the best news story all year for battling Australian cricket and a blessing in disguise at CA’s head office.

It’s understood Smith and Warner have shared coffee on at least two occasions in Toronto this week, and the fact the faraway tournament is playing host to both of their much-anticipated comebacks has shown all at once how big and small the cricket world can be.

Even when their suspensions are lifted, Smith and Warner are banned from resuming their leadership duties as captain and vice-captain.

However, as the two best and most influential players in Australia, their relationship still very much holds the key to Justin Langer’s rebuild.

Warner slammed any notion of issues between he and Smith, but said he’s relished the chance to finally catch-up again properly with his “good mate.”

“That’s just what happens. People are going to get that impression. But me and Steve, we’re good mates,” said Warner.

“If people hang in the hotel they’ll see us hanging out with each other.

“At the end of the day it was a big thing that happened and for us, you’ve got to handle it in your individual way and handle it collectively.

“We haven’t really been able to catch up because he’s been away, Cameron (Bancroft) has been in Perth and I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing — I’ve got family at home.

“But this has been good. We’ve caught up and we’ve had numerous chats, and I’m sure we’ll hang out plenty more, we’re in the same hotel.”

Warner yesterday declared the game “owes him nothing” as he took responsibility for the damage done to Australian cricket when he spoke post-match after his return to cricket for the Winnipeg Hawks.

David Warner was knocked over by a beauty for just 1. Picture: Getty.

The star batsman lasted just two balls in his much-anticipated comeback to cricket, bowled clean by a bullet that stayed low from Sri Lankan great Lasith Malinga, but he took four catches — including two stunners — as well as a run-out as his team romped to victory over the Montreal Tigers.

“I’m extremely grateful for cricket and what it’s brought me. The game owes me nothing,” he said.

“I’m responsible … That’s my fault, and it’s why I’ve had some tough times. But I’m an adult, I’m big, strong and I’ll move forward and keep continuing to move forward and making sure I’m doing the right things at the right time to keep playing the best cricket I can.

“The bubble we’ve been in for the last six or seven years, you need time out and I think this 12 months is going to be a good reflection upon myself as a person and character.”