Candice Warner: ‘I blame myself’ for ball-tampering fallout
An ‘inconsolable’ Candice Warner says vile taunts about her past affected the former vice-captain in South Africa.
The wife of dumped Test cricket vice-captain David Warner blames herself for the trouble her husband has now found himself in.
Warner’s career has imploded after admitting he played a role in the ball-tampering scandal that has ripped the heart out of the Australian Test side.
Candice Warner is “inconsolable” over the events of the past few weeks, sources close to the family have told The Weekend Australian.
The professional ironwoman and mother of two, who wept openly during her husband’s public apology in Sydney on Saturday, has told the Sunday Telegraph the vile abuse from South Africans about a youthful liaison with rugby star Sonny Bill Williams had affected Warner’s state of mind during the series.
“I feel like it’s all my fault and it’s killing me — it’s absolutely killing me,” she told the newspaper, stressing she was not trying to make excuses for the ball tampering.
She described the taunts aimed at her in South Africa — including offensive songs, signs and spectators wearing Sonny Bill masks — as being “on a complete other level” and would leave her in tears in the team hotel.
During a tearful public apology yesterday, Warner refused to be drawn on the matter.
Asked whether South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock’s remarks about his wife and other taunts from sections of the hostile crowds played a part in his decision to engage in ball tampering, Warner said only: “It’s tough for me to talk about where my thought space was on that day given the circumstances that happened in Durban but I’m here to take full responsibility of my actions of the part that I played on day three in Newlands.
“I am extremely sorry and I really, really regret it. It’s a decision that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”
Warner — who broke down when talking about the toll on his family — said he “accepted my responsibility for my involvement’’ and would do everything he could to earn back the respect of the Australian public.
“I promise I will never put you in this position again,” he told his wife and two young daughters yesterday.
The news conference at Cricket NSW was ended after little more than 10 minutes and questions from the media were cut short, prompting many commentators to vent frustration at the lack of a proper explanation for the behaviour of the Australian team.
There is now speculation Warner, dumped captain Steve Smith and young batsman Cameron Bancroft may be preparing to appeal their punishments, meted out by Cricket Australia after a brief 24-hour investigation.
Warner, in saying his international career could be over because of his role in cricket’s ball-tampering scandal, said: “In the back of my mind I suppose there is a tiny ray of hope that I may one day be given the privilege of playing for my country again but I am resigned to the fact that that may never happen.”
The Cricket Australia investigation found Warner hatched the plan to sandpaper the ball with Bancroft — not Smith — but the decorated skipper failed to intervene and later lied about it.
Warner was asked several times by reporters whether others in the team were aware of the plot or whether he had done it before, but he deflected before media handlers ushered him out of the room.
Senior cricket writer Peter Lalor has suggested Warner’s decision not to give the full version of events is a calculated move that is sure to be causing angst among the team and cricket Australia.
Warner and Smith stand to lose at least $5 million between them while serving out their year-long bans.
- with AAP
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