I worked on being the best father and best husband, says Warner recalling ball-tampering ban

The 12-month ban a thing of the past now, David Warner Monday said he just tried to be the best father and the best husband in the aftermath of the career-threatening ball-tampering episode.

Warner and Steve Smith were handed 12-month bans by Cricket Australia for their role in ball-tampering in South Africa last year, a punishment which both the player have already served.

Post the ban, Warner was in imperious form in the ongoing IPL and signed off his season with 692 runs, the highest so far in the tournament, before heading home for World Cup preparations.

"I have had time off to work harder at my game. Put the bat down for 16-18 weeks and just worked hard on being the best father and husband, that has worked for me. Yeah, I try to be the funny man in the team, the prankster," Warner said at the post-match press conference.

Warner, who is the leading run-getter in the ongoing IPL with 692 runs, said he just backed his natural instinct.

"It's obviously great to get out there and do your job properly. We've got a great deck to bat on. The groundstaff have worked tirelessly to prepare good wickets and then it's about going back to basics and backing your instincts.

"I think it just goes back to being still as a batsman. I get the tendency to moving around a bit if there have been a few dots. But I have worked hard over the last few months. The gameplan is to back yourself, just back your natural game."
"Warner and (Jonny) Bairstow have been world class. Very hard to fill someone's boots. But as a team, we'll have to pick up the slack. You're always looking for more runs."