David Warner still having ‘bad days’ according to his wife Candice

DAVID Warner’s wife Candice has opened up on how Australian cricket’s ball tampering scandal is still affecting her family.

Warner celebrated his grade century the same way he celebrated Test centuries, leaping into the air.

CANDICE Warner has opened up about how her husband David Warner is dealing with his 12-month suspension after the ball tampering scandal in South Africa in March.

Along with Steve Smith, Warner was awarded a 12-month ban from international and domestic cricket, while Cameron Bancroft was given nine months for the scandal that rocked the cricket world.

Speaking on Channel 9’s Sports Sunday, Candice said it has been “really tough” for David, as he continues to struggle with the fallout.

“When David has his bad days, they are really bad,” she said. “But they are few and far between now.

“He’s back playing cricket. He’s playing for (Randwick) and he’s loving that. That’s helping with the whole process and just getting back out there.

“The supporters have been great. He played at Coogee Oval a few weeks ago and got a century. That meant a lot to him. It wasn’t just a suburban century for him, it meant a lot.”

Pressed further about whether the bad days were referring to anger, regret or depression, Candice said it was “mix of all that”.

“It’s a mix of I want to be playing for my country, I’ve got no income coming in, I’ve got mortgages, I’ve got two kids, everything,” she said.

“Everything that whether you’re a sports star or whether you are an office worker you’ve got the same problems. And you have your bad days he has those.”

Dave Warner came back to grade cricket with a stylish century.

Fellow panellist and former Australian Test cricket captain Mark Taylor praised Warner for returning to grade cricket with an impressive performance.

Warner plundered 155 from 152 balls to guide Randwick-Petersham to a victory over a St George side featuring returning Aussie quick Josh Hazlewood and NSW paceman Trent Copeland.

Taylor said it was an impressive feat to score big as the expectations often make it hard to perform at grade level.

In the initial fallout of the ball tampering scandal, Warner had been accused of beingthe instigator of the plan which Bancroft then carried out in the third Test in South Africa.

It has seen the trio cast out in the cricketing wilderness, with Smith and Warner playing in Canada and the Caribbean Premier League before returning to play grade cricket.

The ball tampering scandal took a big toll on the Warner family.

When asked about how the Warner’s family life had been affected in the aftermath including David’s much-maligned apology, Candice said she “wouldn’t wish that upon anybody”.

“The main thing for us was to be strong for our kids and for me, was to be a strong as I could for David,” she said.

“As a mother that was my role and as a wife it was also my role to protect my family and I tried to do that as best as I could.

“It was very challenging but those days are behind us now. We feel like we’re six months through the suspension. I say we because we’re a team.

“He’s back playing cricket, he’s loving it. Also he’s been able to get back into the community. Which he’s always been very time-poor when he plays for Australia. To be able to get back into the community and give back, it’s been lovely.”