‘Keep your mouth shut’: Candice Warner blasts CA support during ball-tampering saga

Candice Warner has accused Cricket Australia of failing to support her husband following the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal of 2018.

Candice Warner has accused Cricket Australia of failing to support her husband following the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal of 2018, claiming the organisation tried to prevent the veteran opener from representing his country again.

Australian cricketer David Warner was embroiled in the infamous sandpaper saga in South Africa five years ago, copping a lifetime leadership ban over the scandal that dominated headlines in 2018.

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Speaking on The Matty Johns Podcast this week, Warner opened up on the lack of player welfare offered to David after they returned from South Africa.

“There was no support. Basically from when we left the hotel in South Africa, David was wiped,” Warner said.

“There was no Cricket Australia official helping him. There was nothing. It’s like basically you fend for yourself now.

“It was basically fend for yourself, see you later. Thanks for your services.

“Probably, we’re going to do our best for you not to ever come back and play cricket for our country again. We’re going to blame you for everything, and that’s what they did.”

David echoed his wife’s comments last year, telling News Corp: “The people that were close to me really looked out for me. Within the organisation though, nope. None.

“Unfortunately that’s what it was like back then. You were like this washing machine. You’re just rinsed out, recycled, next player comes in.

“A lot has changed since then and George Bailey and Andrew McDonald are doing a great job now.

“You expect the organisation to actually support you.”

Australian cricketer David Warner, his wife Candice and their daughters leave the airport after arriving back in Sydney. Picture: AFP PHOTO / PETER PARKS

Warner also claimed there “wasn’t enough support” from CA after St George’s Park patrons were seen wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks during the second Test between South Africa and Australia, taunting the former Ironwoman champion about her toilet tryst with the footballer.

South African cricket officials posed for photos with the Gqeberha fans donning the masks.

“I was even told by someone within Cricket Australia at the time within the team that it’s in the team’s best interest to keep your mouth shut,” Warner said.

“That fired me up, and David up … we have so much respect for the team, but we’re also human beings.

“There was no help, at all.

“It’s sad, because I learnt to just accept it.”

Warner has been promoting her new book Running Strong, which was published last week.

Originally published as ‘Keep your mouth shut’: Candice Warner blasts CA support during ball-tampering saga