Warner-de Kock’s spiteful bust-up overshadows Australia’s victory

Durban, March 5 

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Personal insults were at the root of a row between Australia’s David Warner and South Africa’s Quinton de Kock during the tea break of the fourth day of the first Test, their captains said. CCTV footage showed Warner apparently turning on de Kock as the players walked up a narrow staircase leading to the dressing rooms at the start of the interval here in a match won by Australia.

“What was said and done during that interval was regrettable on both sides,” said Australian captain Steve Smith. “Quinton got personal and evoked an emotional response from Davey. Those things are not on from both sides. Getting personal on the field is crossing the line in my opinion.”

Smith’s version was disputed by South African manager Mohammed Moosajee, who blamed Warner. “There were words said out on the field. If you are saying something, you’ve got to take it and that’s the opinion of Quinton. Let the investigations begin and let the match officials decide,” said Moosajee.

South African captain Faf du Plessis said the umpires needed to ensure proper behaviour on the field. “From what I’ve heard there was a lot of personal stuff being said, to and from. Who started it, I don’t know. If it was happening on the field, it should have been nipped in the bud. The fact that it spilled over shouldn’t have happened,” he said.     

Very chirpy

The CCTV footage shows Warner being restrained by teammates Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon before being persuaded to go into the dressing room by Smith. The Aussie skipper acknowledged his players were “certainly very chirpy on the field”. But he added that as far as he was aware, his players had not got personal with de Kock. 

Smith hoped the remaining three Tests would be played in the right spirit. “We play our best cricket when we’re aggressive, when we’re in the fight together and hunting as a pack. We’re working for each other and backing our mates up in the field. That’s part of being an Australian.” He said there had been “regrettable incidents from both parties” but hoped for better behaviour in the next three Tests.

Du Plessis said he expected aggression from the opposition when he played against Australia. “I’m certainly not sitting here complaining about it. I was disappointed to see the way it unfolded yesterday but I expect a tough series and I look forward to the battle,” he said.     

Lyon fined

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon was fined 15 percent of his match fee for his reaction following the run out of South Africa batsman AB de Villiers on Sunday. The tourists were criticised for their ebullient celebration of the dramatic run-out of de Villiers in the second innings. De Villiers was run out for nought after being involved in a mix-up with opening batsman Aiden Markram, with Lyon, who had knocked off the bails, dropping the ball towards the sprawled batsman as he ran over to join ecstatic celebrations.  The bowler is said to have apologised to de Villiers and the pair was seen shaking hands while the teams warmed up today.  — AFP

Brief Scores: Aus: 351 and 227 (Bancroft 53; Maharaj 4/102, Morkel 3/47); SA: 162 and 298 (Markram 143, de Kock 83; Starc 4/75, Hazlewood 3/61).