Former Australia hard man David Warner, banned for a year for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa six weeks ago, says the support he has received has changed him.

Speaking for the first time since his emotional apology for persuading Cameron Bancroft to use sandpaper on the ball in the third Test against South Africa, he said he realises how important support is.

‘It is humbling and overwhelming,’ he said. ‘Sometimes you sit back and reflect and wonder do people care about you as a person.

‘Sometimes with our society something has to happen for the worst for people to come out and show a lot of support and I think I’ve learned a valuable lesson in this myself, for the support I have been given, to be on the front foot to help others.’

He and his wife Candice has spent time ‘just being parents’ and reconnecting.

‘I think the biggest thing for us has been when you are in a routine you can get caught in a bubble – cricket, hotels, packing your bags, coming home.

‘You are not home for long. With an extended period of time you are in a good routine but then it is selfless — kids are a priority — so it’s daycare, swimming lessons, gymnastic lessons and then you get your quality time together as parents.’

His former captain, Steve Smith, also banned for a year, has also emerged after time away.

He said in an Instagram message: ‘I have had some time away to come to terms with everything and now it’s time to get back into it. The amount of emails and letters I have received has been incredible and I have been extremely humbled by the enormous amount of support you have given me. I now have a lot to do to earn back your trust.’