It’s been a kind-of grubby time for the Australian cricket vice-captain and “the lady of his life”, wife Candice. In a tactic that was “just not cricket”, Warner was taunted recently by South African cricket fans about his wife’s involvement with NSW rugby player Sonny Bill Williams more than 10 years ago.
But today David took to Instagram to honour his wife’s birthday, with a collage of photos featuring family and couple moments, and prefaced with a loved-up tribute to celebrate Candice’s 33rd birthday.
“Happy birthday to the lady of my life @candywarner1 sweet, caring, loving mother and wife. May your day be a great one filled with happiness and joy. Can’t wait to spend the day with you. #1331985 #wanttowantto #havetohaveto #loveyou,” the collage was captioned.
The Warners have been together since 2013, welcoming their first daughter Ivy Mae in 2014, getting married in 2015 and having second daughter Indi Rae, now aged two.
But last week, as the intense and sometimes bitter Test Series unfolds between Australia and South Africa, South African fans taunted David by wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks, in reference to a much-publicised toilet tryst in 2007 between the rugby player and Candice, then a celebrated ironwoman.
Cricket commentators and fans have slammed with stunt with The Australian cricket writer Peter Lalor calling the incident a “disgraceful new low”.
Relations between the two teams have already been strained with Warner needing to be restrained by teammates in a stairwell on the way to the dressing room in Durban as he reacted angrily to Quinton de Kock’s sledge about his wife.
Both Warner and de Kock were penalised for bringing the game into disrepute. Following this latest test, South Africa bowler Kagiso Rabada was banned for the rest of the series for a couple of acts during the Test including his physical confrontation with Australian captain Steve Smith on day one of the match.
