Warner quashes rumours of Smith feud

David Warner has hit out at critics who suggest he should have been banned from all forms of cricket while pouring cold water on rumours of a rift with former Test captain Steve Smith.

In Canada on Friday, Warner fronted a pack of reporters for the first time since his press conference at Sydney airport, after the ball-tampering saga in South Africa in March.

Warner accepted a 12-month ban from Australian domestic and international cricket, was stripped of the vice-captaincy and will not be considered again for a leadership position for his role in the controversy.

Making his return to cricket at the inaugural Global T20 Canada league in Toronto, Warner was dismissed for just one but his Winnipeg Hawks secured a 46-run win over Montreal at Maple Leaf Cricket Club.

The 31-year-old batsman then opened up on the three months since the events of Cape Town.

"Definitely, it has been tough. Not just for me but for my family and also the fans who support Australian cricket," Warner said.

"I'm responsible; that's my fault.

"I've had some tough times but I'm an adult; I'll move forward and make sure I do the right things at the right time."

Warner was portrayed as the ring leader in the ball-tampering scandal, which reached fever pitch when he removed himself from the Test team's WhatsApp group.

But Warner rubbished suggestions he should not have been allowed to return to cricket at the fledgling league in Toronto, where he is a marquee signing.

It is believed the biggest names at the 18-day tournament are being paid up to $100,000.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion ... if I look back at everything that has happened and the sanctions that have been handed down by the ICC, it is what it is," Warner said.

"Critics will be critics and that's why they're behind the keyboard, so we'll move forward and try to ignore that."

Warner said he had "good and numerous chats" with former Test skipper Smith, who was also banned for 12 months, and denied their relationship was frosty.

"That's just what happens, you're always going to get that impression (of a rift)," Warner said.

"But we're good mates, if you're at the (player) hotel you will see us hanging out with each other.

"We haven't been able to (have a lengthy) catch up because he's been away and Cameron (Bancroft) has been in Perth and I've been doing my thing with my family at home."

In his emotional press conference in Sydney in March, Warner conceded he may not be given another opportunity to play for Australia.

He remains unsure of his next step after Canada.

"I've got time to think over the next nine months what my future holds," Warner said.

"These 12 months are going to be a good (chance) to reflect on myself as a person, as a dad and a family man.

"I'm extremely grateful for cricket and what it has brought me; the game owes me nothing."

Global T20 Canada

28 June - 15 July: Click here for the complete schedule

Toronto Nationals: Darren Sammy (c), Steve Smith, Kieron Pollard, Kamran Akmal, Hussain Talat, Rumman Raees, Nikhil Dutta, Johnson Charles, Kesrick Williams, Farhan Malik, Usama Mir, Rohan Mustafa, Nitish Kumar, Nizakat Khan, Mohammad Umair, Anton Devcich, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Naveed.

Montreal Tigers: Lasith Malinga (c), Sunil Narine, Thisara Perera, Mohammad Hafeez, Denesh Ramdin, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sikandar Raza, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, George Worker, Najibullah Zadran, Cecil Pervez, Ibrahim Khaleel, Dillon Heyliger, Nicholas Kirton, Rayyan Pathan, Dwayne Smith, Moises Henriques, Peter Siddle, Kevon Cooper.

Edmonton Royals: Shahid Afridi (c), Luke Ronchi, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir, Christiaan Jonker, Wayne Parnell, Asif Ali, Hasan Khan, Agha Salman, Shaiman Anwar, Satsimranjit Dhindsa, Ahmed Raza, Abraash Khan, Ammar Khalid, Simon Pervez, Umar Akmal, Farhaan Behardien, Andre Fletcher.

Vancouver Knights: Chris Gayle (c), Andre Russell, Evin Lewis, Tim Southee, Chadwick Walton, Fawad Ahmed, Babar Hayat, Sheldon Cottrell, Saad Bin Zafar, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Srimantha Wijeratne, Kamau Leverock, Steven Jacobs, Salman Nazar, Rassie van der Dussen , Jeremy Gordon.

Winnipeg Hawks: Dwayne Bravo (c), David Miller, David Warner, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Rayad Emrit, Ben McDermott, Ali Khan, Hamza Tariq, Junaid Siddique, Tion Webster, Rizwan Cheema, Hiral Patel, Mark Deyal, Kyle Phillip

Cricket West Indies 'B' Team: Anthony Bramble (c), Fabian Allen, Alick Athanaze, Roland Cato, Justin Greaves, Derval Green, Kavem Hodge, Brandon King, Jeremiah Louis, Obed McCoy, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Shamar Springer.