Cricket Australia confirmed on March 5, that they were probing a possible altercation between vice captain David Warner and Proteas wicket keeper Quinton de Kock in a stairwell during the first Test in Durban.
Video footage clearly shows Warner pointing and directing a verbal barrage at de Kock, before he was restrained and taken away by his teammates. The footage was broadcasted in Australia. The incident happened when the teams were returning to the dressing room for tea during the fourth day of the first Test.
“CA (Cricket Australia) is aware of reports of an incident between players in Durban. CA is working to establish the facts of what has occurred and will not be commenting further until that has been done,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said in a statement.
Here is the video footage:
MUST WATCH:
— The Cricket Pavilion (@thecricpavilion) March 5, 2018
CCTV footage shows David Warner being restrained by fellow teammates following an altercation with South African players.#SAvsAUS
pic.twitter.com/DiUdK05Hom
The Australian players came under criticism for their over the top celebration of the run out dismissal of South African batsman AB de Villiers. He was run out for a golden duck by David Warner.
Former South African captain Graeme Smith slammed Warner’s behavior during the run out celebrations and overall demeanor.
“We’ve got used to Davey (Warner) over the years. I think the less interest you take in him the better,” Smith added. “He can be a bit of a fool at times. It’s best just to let him be.”
Cricket South Africa reacted to the incident with a statement from Dr Mohammed Moosajee.
“It’s rather unfortunate that the incident took place and certainly not in the spirit of the game,” Moosajee said. “The match referee had spoken to us after the day’s play. We will await any further communication from the ICC around this incident.”
(With inputs from Wisden India)