Australia batsman David Warner has revealed how former captain Ricky Ponting was a 'father figure' to him during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019, helping him cope with the criticism that followed his return from a 12-month ball-tampering suspension.

Ponting, who was the assistant coach for Australia during the World Cup, helped Warner stay positive. His influence was evident, as Warner finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, with 647 runs at an average of 71.88, including three centuries.

"It was fantastic having Ricky there, he was like my old man," Warner told cricket.com.au. "He was always checking in and I think we had breakfast, lunch and dinner together, amongst the golf trips we had.

David Warner in the Ashes:



10 innings | 95 runs



The Australia opener today:



1 innings | 151* 👀 pic.twitter.com/qZh6zPr3Ib — ICC (@ICC) November 22, 2019

"He helped me a lot through [the World Cup]. It was a tough period for me coming back into the Australian colours and getting back in the groove of playing cricket again, especially in England."

While Warner lit up the World Cup, it took him some time to translate that success in the longest format. After a disappointing Ashes this year, where he scored 95 runs across 10 innings, the opening batsman hit a sensational 154 against Pakistan in the first Test in Brisbane.

Ponting's influence on Warner isn't just restricted to the World Cup. "I tried to be a sponge off him and it worked a treat. I keep in touch with him all the time, as much as I can," said Warner.

CWC19: AUS v BAN - Warner 150 montage

Ponting is widely regarded as one of Australia's most successful captains. Despite 17-year-old international career being studded with achievements, the former Australia captain is no stranger to criticism.

"I knew it was going to be hard for him coming back into international cricket," said Ponting. "I knew the crowds were going to be against him and [Steve Smith]. I've got to know Davey [Warner] really well over the years.

"It was good to spend the time with him, talk a lot about batting, and I got a really good understanding of the way he goes about his cricket and what that's developed into from when I retired."

I tried to be a sponge off him and it worked a treat. David Warner

Ponting further praised Warner's mentality and confessed that he would have enjoyed playing with the younger man. "He's a competitor. He's a winner – he's got that attitude about him. He's the sort of bloke you want to play with, I've said that right from the start.

"You think about some of my closest mates from the game – Langer and Hayden, and Gilly, McGrath and Warne – they're exactly the same; when things get tough and tight you want those blokes in your corner, and Davey's certainly one of those.”