Australian cricketer and ‘destructive bull’ David Warner broke down in tears as he spoke about nearly throwing away his career after a series of on- and off-field incidents – and what turned his life around.

In an emotional interview on the Nine Network’s 60 Minutes program on Sunday night, Warner was joined by fiancee Candice Falzon, who he says is the woman who saved him.

It has been an eventful past 24 months for Warner, who was caught up in a host of incidents – including punching English cricketer Joe Root in a Birmingham bar and being fined for asking Indian batsman Rohit Sharma to “speak English” in a heated stoush during a one-day match earlier this year.

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At the time, Cricket Australia warned him to “stop looking for trouble”.

New Zealand cricket great Martin Crowe labelled his behaviour “thuggish” and slammed the 28-year-old as being the most juvenile cricketer he had ever seen.

On Sunday night, he revealed the long list of poor decisions could have cost him his career.

He spoke about another incident when he was on tour in India, and became involved in a Twitter tirade with two leading cricket writers, to add to the list.

“I wasn’t playing my best cricket at the time, and then it was (like) a big volcano ready to erupt,” Warner says.

“I do live life on the edge.”

Added Falzon: “It was almost like, you stuff up again, and you’ll lose everything.”

The death of teammate and good friend Phillip Hughes in November 2014 rocked the Australian cricket team and fans across the world.

It was, perhaps, another turning point for Warner to get his life back on track.

“It hurts every day, and it’s hard to talk about it now,” Warner said through tears about his lost friend.

In January, on the first day of the fourth Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Warner paid the most poignant tribute to the late Hughes, before making his century.

Upon reaching 63 not out, he removed his helmet, dropped to his knees and kissed the pitch where Hughes was struck by a cricket ball and died while on the same number of runs.

Growing up in a commission home in the Sydney suburb of Matraville, Warner was called the ‘termite’ by his junior cricket teammates because he was such a pest.

Later in life, Warner reveals he never thought he would get married – until he met ironwoman Falzon, 30.

The couple have just welcomed baby girl, Ivy Mae.

Falzon says there’s a perception of her husband-to-be in the public eye that’s not always true.

“He’s a warrior, he’s fearless, but when he comes home he’s a real softy,” she says.

Warner counts his blessings that he met Falzon when he was at his lowest point.

“I owe her a lot,” Warner says.

“I wouldn’t be playing for Australia, that’s for sure.

“We want to share every experience with each other – and that’s when you know you’ve got someone you can spend the rest of your life with.”

Fantastic, honest story tonight on #60minutes @davidwarner31 @CandyFalzon plenty of tears in this household xx

— Nicole O’Brien (@nicole_obrien) March 15, 2015

63 not out. It’s still so very painful #60Minutes #DavidWarner

— Jennifer McBain (@JenMcB) March 15, 2015

What a story, @davidwarner31 is a Gem. #60minutes

— Hayden Forbes (@HaydenForbes) March 15, 2015

Have tears in my eyes listening to @davidwarner31 on 60 minutes! Changed my thinking about him #channel9 #60minutes #cricket

— justinealaine (@justinealaine) March 15, 2015

I was enjoying this Warner exposé until it became obvious it’s a sponsored PR piece for Cricket Australia to fix Warner’s image. #60minutes

— Canberra Memes (@CanberraMemes) March 15, 2015