Fiery Australian Opener David Warner Is The Sports Dad Of The Year
David Warner has often said the influence of his wife Candice and his responsibilities as a father have made him a more stable person both on and off the cricket field
Highlights
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Warner is currently leading Australia in the ODIs vs Sri Lanka
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So far, Warner has played 78 ODIs
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Warner won the Allan Border Medal earlier this year
David Warner, who won the Allan Border Medal earlier this year for his stupendous on-field performances, was on Sunday awarded the 2016 Philips Sports Dad of the Year for his role as a father of two, Ivy Mae and Indi Rae.
Warner, who led Australia to an ODI Series win over Sri Lanka with consecutive wins in Dambulla earlier this week, has often said the influence of his wife Candice and his responsibilities as a father have made him a more stable person both on and off the cricket field.
"Fatherhood has helped me a lot with my game, and off the field it gives me something always to have as a responsibility," Warner told cricket.com.au
David Warner crowned 2016 Sports Dad of the Year! Happy Father's Day to all the dads: https://t.co/05j5myUX7N pic.twitter.com/4kX9xBTMa2
- cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) September 4, 2016
"I've always dreamed of having kids and I thoroughly enjoy having children, and I think my wife has been a key factor for me being a little bit more tame and humble as I've got older.
"I think she got me into a great routine coming from her sporting background of being an iron woman, which takes a lot of discipline and strength and courage to do that (sport). And upon yourself to get up in the early hours of the morning to start training is a credit to her, and I think that's exactly what modelled me into probably being the person I am today."
National Rugby League pair James Maloney and Corey Parker, Matthew Pavlich, Jarrad McVeigh, Brent Harvey, Tour de France cyclist Simon Gerrans, field hockey star Jamie Dwyer, Garth Tander and footballer Tim Cahill were the other athletes nominated for the award.
Warner, who will also lead Australia for the two T20s against Sri Lanka in the absence of regular skipper Steven Smith, admitted that it will be a challenge to continue playing all formats of the game as his family commitments become more demanding.
"We set out to do this (become professional cricketers) because we enjoy and love playing cricket," Warner added.
"Things down the track always change and that is becoming a parent, getting married, you start to travel more when you play all three forms and now having two kids and being married - that's a choice.
"You have a choice to do that, and I love every minute of that and something will have to give eventually because I do miss my kids when I'm away, and my wife. They're the choices I'm going to have to make near the end of my career, you're gonna have to make sacrifices."
So far, Warner has played 54 Tests and 78 ODIs, scoring 22 centuries across both formats. He was a part of the Australian team that won the 2015 World Cup.
Warner also led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL win earlier this year. He was the leading run-getter for SRH with 843 runs in the competition at an average of 60.57, including nine 50 plus scores.