Copyright timesnownews
One of the most prominent figures of the Australian cricket team, David Warner, took the world by storm with his aggressive batting style. He made his international debut at the age of 23 and enjoyed a glorious career spanning over a decade, with remarkable performances across all formats of the game. However, what contributed to Warner's success is not just his relentless hard work and determination, but also the presence of a strong support system back home. A skilled surfer and former Ironwoman, Candice Ann Falzon, had a strange meet-cute moment with David Warner in 2013. However, she wasn't quite aware then of the sacrifices she would have to make to support the career of one of the most remarkable cricket players of all time. After their first meeting in Bondi, the couple got engaged and got pregnant with their first child- all in the span of six months. “Our relationship moved really quickly. It was just one of those things that felt so right. It was an easy relationship. We were able to be ourselves,” Candice told news.com.au The power couple got married in a fairytale ceremony in 2015, which also marked the beginning of Candice's sacrifices. They had three beautiful kids named Ivy Mae, 11, Indi Rae, 10, and Isla Rose, 6, who take great interest in playing cricket- but to raise them, Candice had to draw an ending line to her long and eventful sporting career. While David Warner racked up his records in stadiums all over the world, Candice held the fort down back in Sydney. Their journey was hit with yet another test of resilience when Warner was one of the major accused in the ball tampering scandal in 2018 against South Africa. As a result, Candice also had to bear the brunt of David Warner being abused by the cricket world. This incident not just affected the Aussie icon's professional life, but also had a great impact on his marriage and family. Candice was shambolic, but held herself together to provide the support that the cricket icon needed at that moment, amid excruciating media scrutiny and public criticism. She buried her emotional turmoil and stayed resolute, most importantly, for their three kids. In an interview with Australian Woman's Weekly in 2018, Candice Warner revealed how she was also subjected to hate, which was followed by the couple enduring a major loss. They had a miscarriage around the same time the scandal took place, leaving their relationship in a vulnerable state. "I was a target right from the start of the tour and I'd have to be bullet-proof for the taunting not to have affected me. It rocked my very foundation and I paid the ultimate price, losing our baby. It was the final blow. I wonder how all those who came after me feel now? The miscarriage was a tragic consequence, a heartbreaking end to a horror tour," she said. The situation at their home was particularly depressing because Candice felt that the scandal was her fault as well and she often had emotional breakdowns. "I feel like it's all my fault, and it's killing me - it's absolutely killing me. Dave would come home...and see me in tears in the bedroom, and the girls just looking at their mum. It's been heartbreaking," she added. The family overcame their rocky phase eventually, but it helped the Warner family understand the importance of sticking together, and the importance of having Candice as the emotional anchor of the family. David Warner on The Importance of His Wife, Candice, in His Life An easy target for cricket fans, Candice Warner, just like all other cricketers' wives, has been abused on multiple occasions. However, one particular incident that enraged her took place in 2022 during Australia's second Test in Adelaide against the West Indies. In a podcast named 'Triple M’s Summer Breakfast', Candice narrated: "Saturday afternoon at Adelaide Oval, just before the lunch break, the girls wanted to see their dad. So we went from one area of Adelaide Oval to the other. It was probably about 200m. In that time, I had two of my three daughters...and as we’re walking past a huge group of people, it was a group of five or six men who just started throwing vile abuse at me." She eventually confronted the people, who were under the influence of alcohol, but confessed that at that moment, she felt very unsafe and contemplated not bringing the kids to a match again. David Warner, however, acknowledges the contribution of his wife in his life and penned an emotional note after the sandpapergate, outlining how she had been an unwavering source of support amid the tumult that took over his life. He thanked his wife and kids in an Instagram post, emphasizing how important his wife has been and considers himself blessed to have her in his life. "My wife, my rock, has endured pain, disappointment, regrets in her past and so many highs and lows, but the courage Candice has shown in recent months is a testament to the qualities she has as a mother, person, friend and wife. I'm grateful every day I get to call her my wife and my soul mate. I wouldn't want it any other way," he said. Having retired from international cricket in 2024, David Warner now continues his duties as a doting dad and a loving husband, gradually making efforts to acknowledge the support provided by his wife, Candice, in over a decade of togetherness.
