CAPE TOWN – Spin legend Shane Warne has called on the Proteas and Australian teams to “stop whingeing” and sort out their issues following the controversy around David Warner’s altercation with Quinton de Kock.
The International Cricket Council are investigating the incident which saw opener Warner confront De Kock near the Kingsmead change-rooms on day four of the first Test on Sunday.
Both captains Faf du Plessis and Steve Smith said afterwards that personal things were said on the field, which spilled over off it as CCTV footage obtained by IOL Sport showed that Warner had to be held back by teammates Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine from getting closer to De Kock as the players walked up the stairs.
The Australian media have reported that the Proteas wicket-keeper had allegedly said something about Warner’s wife Candice, but there have been other reports that it was in response to the Australian having mentioned his sister and mother.
The ICC were expected to make a finding by tonight, but the heat is on ahead of the second Test starting on Friday in Port Elizabeth.
Earlier on Tuesday, Australian coach Darren Lehmann said that he was “certainly supporting” Warner, and that his position as the vice-captain was not in jeopardy.
David Warner is seen shouting at Quinton de Kock at Kingsmead on Sunday.
Former spinner Warne tweeted: “Chat, banter, sledging has always been apart of any series between SA & Oz. Both sides always give it out.
“Respect is the key & I hope nothing personal was said to any player towards anyone from either side. Have a beer together afterwards & get on with it - stop the whinging!”
Chat, banter, sledging has always been apart of any series between SA & Oz. Both sides always give it out. Respect is the key & I hope nothing personal was said to any player towards anyone from either side. Have a beer together afterwards & get on with it - stop the whinging !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 5, 2018
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan responded to Warne by saying: “Correct Warney....but it’s clear plenty of personal nonsense has been spoken & the man in question I hear from many has been doing it for a while so I guess someone eventually was going to touch a nerve with a response ... #OnOn”
The likes of Graeme Smith and Adam Gilchrist have also weighed in on the incident, with Smith saying that Warner “He can be a bit of a fool at times”, while Gilchrist felt that it was “Not a good look all round”.
Former Proteas spinner Robin Peterson also tweeted: “I have to say some of the behaviour this Test Match has been absolutely disgraceful. It’s only a few on the Aussie team - don’t taint the whole group but the serial offenders need to be dealt with #spiritofthegame”
@ashfakmohamed