DURBAN – Proteas wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock and Australian vice-captain David Warner have been reported for breaching the International Cricket Council code of conduct by bringing the game into disrepute following their unsavoury spat at tea on the fourth day of the first Test at Kingsmead.
Warner was reported for a Level 2 offence and De Kock Level 1.
These developments come after Australian spinner Nathan Lyon was also charged for conduct not in keeping with the spirit of the game, and fined a portion of his match fee.
Both teams’ management and the affected players have been given until Wednesday to respond to the charges.
Match referee Jeff Crowe had a meeting with both teams on Tuesday in Port Elizabeth as officials seek to draw a line on a controversy that has overshadowed the on-field action.
The pair had exchanged deeply personal jibes in an altercation that had started with sledging on the field during the session, and then threatened to get physical outside the respective team change-rooms, which was captured by stadium security cameras.
CCTV footage showing David Warner trying to get closer to Quinton de Kock at Kingsmead.
Warner, a veteran of 72 Test matches, was seen to be trying to lunge towards De Kock on the stairs going up to the team rooms after a heated discussion as they left the field of play.
Warner had to be restrained by several teammates, while De Kock had teammates – including captain Faf du Plessis – come out of their dressing-room in support.
Both captains expressed regret that things had got personal off the field in their post-match press conferences, and were keen to move forward and focus on the cricket.
Australia won the opening Test by 118 runs, and the second Test of the four-match series starts on Friday at St George’s Park.
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