David Warner capped off a triumphant return to the international set-up by claiming Australian cricket’s highest individual honour – Allan Border Medal – on Monday night for the third time.
He also won the T20I player of the year award, finishing ahead of fellow power-hitter Glenn Maxwell.
After receiving the honours, Warner took to Instagram to drop a heartfelt post for his wife Candice and their three children.
“Where do I start!! It was an honour to receive my third AB medal and my first t20 player of the year award which is voted by my peers, media and umpires. I’m extremely humbled by this and overwhelmed with joy. It’s been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but I’ve managed to get through this by having great support by my side. My family is paramount and means the world to me. Without the strength and resilience of my wife I don’t know how I would have managed but we soldiered on and got on with the process. My three beautiful girls I love you dearly and I will keep being the best dad and role model that I be can for you. I love you @candywarner1 #girldad #mygirls.”
Warner’s success caps off a significant redemption tale, with the aggressive left-handed opener banned by Cricket Australia from holding a leadership position after the Cape Town ball-tampering saga.
The 33-year-old plundered bowling attacks during the 2019 World Cup, finishing with 647 runs at an average of 71.88, one run behind Indian opener Rohit Sharma for the leading scorer of the tournament.
Warner struggled during Australia’s retention of the Ashes, before making up for it with a dominant home summer, highlighted by a record-breaking 335 not out against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval.
