The ball tampering saga that has rocked Australian cricket is one of the biggest topics of conversation in the country right now. David Warner’s wife, Candice, has now defended her husband following Saturday’s press conference.
Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Telegraph, Candice said that her husband’s mental health was a reason why he wasn’t able to answer questions properly.
“He’s just such an emotional wreck and I think he was sitting there hearing words but not really being able to process,” she explained. “If people could understand — which they probably won’t because there’s so many people out there that want answers — but if they could just sympathise just slightly with the month that he’s had.”
Candice added that there were things her husband probably wanted to say but wasn’t able to.
“I’m sure there were things he wanted to say but he just couldn’t get it out,” she continued. “He is hurting. He is seriously, seriously struggling and he’s not in a great headspace.”
During Saturday’s press conference, the former vice captain appeared to dodge many questions by reporters and broke down in tears. He apologised to his family and spoke about his fears that he may never play cricket professionally again.
“In the back of my mind, there’s a tiny ray of hope that I may one day play for my country again but I’m resigned to the fact that might never happen,” he said. “To the fans and the lovers of the game, who have supported and inspired me on my journey as a cricketer, I want to sincerely apologise for betraying your trust in me.
“I have let you down badly. I hope in time I can find a way to repay you for all you have given me and possibly earn your respect again.”
David later took to Twitter to explain why he had been so vague during the conference in regards to questions surrounding who was really responsible for the ball tampering in South Africa.
“I know there are unanswered questions and lots of them. I completely understand. In time I will do my best to answer them all. But there is a formal CA process to follow,” he wrote.
“I am taking advice to make sure I properly comply with that process and answer all questions in the proper place and at the proper time. I should have mentioned that in my press conference I’m sorry for not making it clearer. With so much at stake for my family and cricket I have to follow this process properly. I think that’s fair.”
Meanwhile, former Australian cricketer Rodney Hogg told Seven News that David’s unclear answers could have been a way of protecting other players involved in cheating. Rodney said it was expected for David to get emotional, but that he was always going to get asked some tough questions.
“It’s not just the three,” he said. “Use your own imagination. Smith’s a batsman, Warner’s a batsman, Bancroft’s a batsman. Three batsmen handling the ball.
“Now, I’m a bowler, I’m not going to allow three batsmen to be handing me back the ball to bowl, without knowing what’s going on.”
He added that David couldn’t answer the question without getting someone else in trouble.
“Now we’ve got questions on questions, haven’t we?” he said. “It’s an iceberg at the moment and without Warner answering those questions, it proves it’s an iceberg. We’ve got to dig deeper.”
The cricketing body has sent home all three from South Africa and handed Smith and Warner 12-month bans from international cricket, while Bancroft recieved a nine-month ban. Earlier this week, Australian test team coach Darren Lehmann said he would step down at the end of the fourth test against South Africa to allow the team to move forward from the scandal.