David Warner thanks wife Candice for 'showing the true meaning of love' in gushing Instagram post – before their daughters make a heartfelt statement of their own

Retired cricket star David Warner has penned a heartfelt tribute to his wife Candice, days after completing a near-perfect retirement from Test cricket.

Warner, 37, sailed into the sunset on Saturday after Australia secured a 3-0 win over Pakistan at the SCG, with the experienced opener moving away from red-ball cricket and the 50-over format.

On Monday evening, he posted a lengthy tribute to his wife Candice on Instagram.

'I write this with a lot of emotions. What can I say!!! Honestly, you, @candywarner1, are the reason I made it this far,” the post began.

'I've said it before: if you wake up at four in the morning, you're crazy. Cricketers don't have to do this, but the thought of what discipline meant to me was that I didn't know the real meaning.

Warner said Candice was the reason he got this far in the sport he loves

“We don't train at that hour, we don't play at that hour, but what it does do is change the mentality and make the impossible possible. I can't thank you enough for entering my world and giving me the best opportunity to do what I love for as long as I did.

“You have faced challenges with grace and determination and have shown me what true courage looks like. Your unwavering support and boundless optimism have been an inspiration to me, and I am grateful for the way you have transformed my world with your presence. I can not imagine a life without you.

“You showed me the true meaning of love, and I am forever grateful to have you by my side. Your unwavering faith in me has given me the strength to move forward, and your unwavering love has shown me the beauty of the person you are.

'You have also been constantly there for our girls when I have been away and I have never heard you say that this is hard, challenging or too difficult. You are solid, loyal and my god, tough as nails. There is no better role model than you for our three beauties.

'Thank you for being my partner, my rock, on this incredible journey called life. I am grateful for your love, your strength and your support.

“Here's to you, my love, for being the extraordinary woman that you are. I am blessed to have you in my life, and I will always cherish you. I love you.'

Candice and David married in 2015 and share three daughters together: Ivy, eight, Indi, six, and Isla, four.

The daughters, who share an Instagram account, posted their own message to their father on Monday evening.

Warner said his wife showed him 'what true courage looks like'

Warner's daughters (pictured from left to right with their parents) Isla, Indi and Ivy sent their own message of appreciation to their father

“Daddy, we love you,” the message began.

'Thank you for all the wonderful memories and all the really cool trips we went on to watch you play cricket. This week was the best yet. I love you, daddy.'

Warner will retire at the top of Test cricket after Australia officially reclaimed the world number one ICC ranking from India.

He finished his career with 8786 runs, an average of just over 44, 37 Test fifties and 26 centuries.

Warner has been a key member of the Australian squad since 2011 and is looking forward to a break from Test cricket.

However, that doesn't mean he will retire from all formats as the batting legend is keen to play white-ball cricket in 2025.