Support ‘humbling and overwhelming,’ says David Warner

• Suspended Australia opener opens up about adjusting to life after the events of South Africa

 David Warner echoed his former Australia captain Steve Smith when he said he was “humbled” by the support he was getting as he serves a suspension for his role in the ball-tampering scandal.

Warner, who like Smith and Cameron Bancroft did not appeal the sanctions imposed by Cricket Australia after the incident in South Africa, has been spending time with his family as he works to put the controversy behind him.

“It is humbling and overwhelming,” said Warner in an interview to NT News. “Sometimes with our society something has to happen for the worst for people to come out and show a lot of support and I think I’ve learned a valuable lesson in this myself for the support I have been given to be on the front foot to help others.”

Warner, who has kept a low profile since he returned from South Africa, spent time playing cricket and interacting with children in Darwin. He said he was enjoying the break from the rigours of the professional circuit.

“I think the biggest thing for us has been when you are in a routine you can get caught in a bubble – cricket, hotels, packing your bags, coming home. You are not home for long,” he said.

“With an extended period of time you are in a good routine but then it is selfless – kids are a priority – so it’s day care, swimming lessons, gymnastic lessons and then you get your quality time together as parents.

“I’ve missed that part until now where the kids run up to the gate saying, ‘Mummy and daddy are here’, and I am really enjoying and embracing that.”

On Friday 4 May, Smith on his return home to Australia after an extended trip overseas, had vowed to ‘earn back trust’.

“I have had some time away to come to terms with everything and now it’s time to get back into it,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “The amount of emails and letters I have received has been incredible and I have been extremely humbled by the enormous amount of support you have given me. I now have a lot to do to earn back your trust.”

The trio’s hopes of making their way back to the Australia squad were given a boost with Justin Langer, the new coach, keeping the door open for their possible return.

“When I think about Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith, they love the game of cricket more than anyone I know and they are great kids,” Langer said after his appointment. “David Warner is the same. He’s a really great young bloke. This will be a really important message: If they are willing to meet the standards of the Australian cricket team, I think everyone has a place.”