Candice Warner's revelation about daughters after husband David's Test cricket exit
David Warner will have more time to spend at home with his young family.
Candice Warner has admitted she's "not so sad" that husband David has retired from Test cricket because it means he can spend more time at home with his daughters and step away from the "intense hate" that followed him. Warner bade a perfect farewell to Test cricket in front of his home fans at the SCG on Saturday, scoring 57 as Australia swept Pakistan 3-0.
The 37-year-old shared emotional embraces with wife Candice and their three daughters, as well as with the mother of childhood friend Usman Khawaja. Warner received a standing ovation as he made his way from the ground for the final time at Test level, and thousands of fans stayed after the final ball to celebrate his career.
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But the polarising opener has always divided fans, and Candice lifted the lid on what life has been like as his wife for the past nine years. “He cops it more than anyone I know,” Candice told the Sunday Telegraph. “When he’s away the crowd can be so much, and there’s people giving it to him on social media, the media itself.
“But he deals with it in a way that I’ve actually never seen anyone deal with it. He never makes excuses. He never says it’s all getting too much. He just cracks on. And I take my hat off to him for that because he is a warrior.”
David Warner's daughters steal the show after farewell Test
Candice admitted she's "not so sad" that David won't be playing Test or ODI cricket anymore because he'll be spending more time at home. Warner plans to play more franchise T20 cricket in the coming years, and will be available for selection for the T20 World Cup in 2025.
He'll also be doing some commentary on Fox Cricket, but will be at home more often to spend quality time with daughters Ivy (nine), Indi (seven) and Isla (four). “It will be that back end of the year where there isn’t as much cricket where we’ll get that quality family time, when David will be able to take the girls to cricket, take the girls to soccer on a Sunday,” Candice said.
“He’s never had that chance to do any of those things because he’s always been away playing. The girls just absolutely love when their dad’s home and he gets to pick them up from school, the little things like them running up to David with their big backpacks on and they just give you the big cuddle and talk about the day. That’s what I know he’s looking forward to.”
Warner got a first-hand look at what more time with his daughters will involve when a squabble between Ivy and Indi stole the show on Saturday. Indi could be seen trying to steal some streamers off her older sister, who was collecting them off the ground following celebrations.
Apparently it’s the middle taking off eldest, which makes even more sense. 😂
— Georgie Parker (@georgieparker) January 6, 2024
I don’t understand … it’s not like they come from competitive genes or anything …
— Peter (from BrisVegas) (@BrisVegasMale) January 6, 2024
Speaking after Australia's win in his farewell Test, Warner also revealed he wants to get into coaching - if Candice allows it. “I’ve got ambitions later down the track to potentially coach - I’ll have to speak with the wife first to see if I’m allowed a few more days away,” he said.
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