'My daughters are yelling out Virat Kohli’s name' - David Warner breaks down after receiving Allan Border Medal

David Warner redemption story reached its zenith on Monday when he was conferred with the prestigious Allan Border Medal- an award given to Australia’s best male cricketer of the year. Warner has won the prestigious medal twice in 2016 and 2017 but winning it this time, was something that not even Warner would have imagined when he broke down in the press conference, fearing that he may never play for Australia again in the aftermath of the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in March 2018.

Warner, along with the then captain Steve Smith and rookie opener Cameron Bancroft, were handed suspensions for their involvement in hatching and executing the ball-tampering plan in the third Test in Cape Town against South Africa. Out of the three, Warner faced the most outrage from fans and media, and many even wrote obituaries of his International career.

But adversity brings out a beast in champions. And, Warner certainly is a champion. He made an emphatic return to competitive cricket with a whirlwind IPL season for the Sunrisers Hyderabad where he smoked more than 600 runs and duly received the Orange Cap. The Southpaw continued his brilliant form in the 2019 World Cup where he emerged as the second-highest run-getter- 647 runs at 71.88- behind Rohit Sharma.

Warner, however, endured a torrid Ashes series where he could manage just 95 runs across ten innings but the southpaw stormed back and mauled the visiting Pakistan and New Zealand bowling attacks, besides also registering Australia’s highest individual Test score- 335.

Emotional David Warner’s redemption story completes a full circle

Warner was in cracking form in T20I cricket too and he duly plundered Sri Lanka and Pakistan on home soil and was dismissed just once across six innings. Hw was also conferred as the ‘T20I cricketer of the Year’. Warner was naturally emotional after receiving the prestigious award. He admitted how he realized in his off-time, the bubble that sportsman tends to get themselves into. He mentioned how his daughter yelled out Virat Kohli’s name when he was playing with her in the backyard.

“I realised a lot of things during that time off that we don’t actually understand or realise when we’re in this bubble, the importance of what this game is and the smiles on the faces that we bring to a lot of people. Having three daughters at home, looking up to guys like ‘Smithy’, ‘Cummo’ — playing cricket in the backyard they’re yelling out Virat Kohli’s name — but these are the smiles on kids’ faces that we put on,” said David Warner as quoted by cricket.com.au.

Warner went on to thank his parents as well as his brother for always sticking by his side. He also thanked his wife- Candice- for the unrelenting support that she gave during those tumultuous times- before proceeding to break down in tears.

He added, “Obviously there’s a lot of thank yous — I’m going to miss a lot of people — but first and foremost my mum and dad. I know I’ve let you guys down in the past but you guys always stuck … by my side, and I really appreciate that. And my brother.

“My wife … f*** … as I said before, my rock. You’re absolutely amazing. I don’t know what can ever break you. You’re absolutely fantastic. You’re an inspiration, not just to me but to the girls. It’s hard for a man to stand up here and say a lot of nice words about people, but you always seem to bring the best out of me and the kindness of my heart. I can’t thank you enough for what you do for me and our family. I love you dearly,” said David Warner.

Here is the full video of his speech: