David Warner breaks silence with emotional message to fans

DAVID Warner briefly spoke to the media as he walked through Sydney Airport last night after a tearful arrival with his wife Candice.

DAVID Warner briefly spoke to the media as he and his reunited family made their way through Sydney Airport last night.

“As you can imagine it has been a tough and emotional time for my wife and the kids at this present time,” Warner said.

“You’ll hear from me in a couple of days. At the moment my priority is to get these kids in bed.”

After they made their way past reporters, a visibly distraught Candice Warner placed an arm around her husband as the two walked towards the exit.

David and Candice after arriving in Sydney. Pic: AAP

There were tears. Pic: AAP

Before he landed in Sydney, Warner finally addressed the ball tampering scandal in a message directed to his supporters, saying he took responsibility “for his role” in the saga.

However, he also suggested the fault is not all his to carry.

“To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney,” Warner wrote in his message on Twitter.

“Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it.

“I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans.

“It’s a stain on the game we all love and have loved since I was a boy.

“I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days.”

Warner was sensationally identified as the central figure in the ball tampering fiasco in the findings of Cricket Australia’s investigation into the Cape Town cheating saga.

He has been sent home, suspended for 12 months, ordered to complete 100 hours of community service in Aussie grassroots cricket and has been told he will never again be considered for a leadership position in the Aussie cricket team.

pic.twitter.com/BaB8vsSvif

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 29, 2018

Warner’s banned teammates Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith both spoke to the media and issued tearful apologies when they arrived back in Australia earlier last night.

It comes as cricket commentators around the world spoke out in support of Warner, despite his portrayal in some circles as the villain of Aussie cricket.

New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson on Thursday went in to bat for the embattled Aussie saying he is “not a bad person.”

Williamson and the New Zealand team were obliquely drawn into the controversy this week when Australia coach Darren Lehmann, exonerated of any part in planning or attempting to change the condition of the ball during the third test against South Africa, said Australia should behave more like them.

The New Zealand team under coach Mike Hesson and recent captains Brendon McCullum and Williamson has been lauded for upholding the spirit of cricket by refusing to indulge in abuse of opposing players or other forms of gamesmanship.

“The thing for me would be if we take a leaf out of someone like, say, New Zealand’s book in the way they play and respect the opposition,” Lehmann said, promising the Australian team would mend its ways.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re respecting the game and its traditions.”

At a news conference Thursday ahead of Friday’s second cricket test against England in Christchurch, Williamson was asked for his view of the ball-tampering controversy which has seen Warner and Australia captain Steve Smith banned for 12 months and Cameron Bancroft for nine months.

Williamson might have welcomed the chance to join many other leading current or former players in piling on to the pugnacious Warner.

Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were also sanctioned.

Instead he expressed sympathy and understanding for Warner and Smith who, he said, were paying heavily for a single lapse in judgment.

Williamson said he had been in touch by text with Warner, with whom he plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

“He’s not a bad person by any means,” Williamson said.

“Through what’s eventuated in recent times, there’s been a lot of emotion and energy pointed at certain players which has gone to extreme lengths.

“It will blow over in time, but it’s grown and grown and, like I say, he’s not a bad guy. He’s made a mistake and certainly admitted that and they are disappointed with that action.” Williamson said Warner and Smith “will have to take the strong punishment and move on. You always learn from tough lessons and I’m sure they’ll do that. But it is a shame that two fantastic, world-class players have made a mistake.”

Williamson acknowledged New Zealand had made a conscious effort in recent years to play in a way which demonstrated respect for opponents and the sport.

“For us it’s about how we want to play the game, that’s important to us,” he said.

“It’s been part of our environment for some time and we want to maintain that.

“We believe it suits us as people and so we want to commit to that, play as hard and well as we can on the park, but at the end of the day the game finishes and you’re still people. That’s what we like to try and hang our hat on.”

— with AP