'Pull your head in': Wife's brutal slap for David Warner

David Warner has opened up about how his relationship with wife Candice was likely what saved, and ultimately furthered, his cricketing career.

The couple appeared on the 98 Podcast, where David opened up about his rowdy tendencies in the early stages of his career - a phase most remembered for the scandal that erupted after he punched England’s Joe Root at a bar in 2013.

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The three-time Allan Border Medal winner said alcohol had featured heavily in his cricket upbringing, a habit he only decided to leave behind after Candice voiced her concerns.

“I had a few misdemeanours…when I was younger I used to drink a fair bit and burn the candle at both ends,” David said.

“You can do that when you’re young and I was able to do that — although I don’t condone it.

“I got a bit of a slap to the back of the head to say ‘pull your head in’.

“(Candice) was asking me questions like ‘Why are you not disciplined? Why are you drinking alcohol? Why are you not getting up early when you’re competing?’

“It didn’t sit well with Candice.”

As Warner went from a curiosity in the early days of T20 cricket to entrenching himself at the top of the Australian Test batting order, the now 33-year-old said he had no choice but to change his way.

He credited Candice for helping him take the game more seriously - advice that ultimately proved to be well and truly on the money.

“Alcohol on the side was the culture in cricket growing up,” he said.

“You don’t realise what it takes to get to that next level, but if I didn’t change the way I was and what I was doing, I was out the door.

“We met at the right time and if I didn’t make my sacrifices, we probably wouldn’t be where we are today.

“I had to change and I changed for the better — and I have to credit Candice for that.”