WARNER-DE KOCK SPAT

Warner is now one demerit point away from a ban. © Getty

David Warner has been hit with three demerit points and fined 75 per cent of his match fee after deciding to accept the ICC’s level two charges that came from his altercation with Quinton de Kock during the first Test in Durban, but South Africa have confirmed that their player will contest his charge.

CCTV footage from a stairwell leading up to the dressing rooms at Kingsmead showed Warner continuing to verbally abuse de Kock as South Africa and Australia broke for tea on the fourth day of the first Test, which Australia went on to win by 118 runs.

Australia maintain that Warner was provoked by personal comments that de Kock made about his wife, but the Australia batsman has accepted the charges brought against him by match referee Jeff Crowe and is now one demerit point away from a ban. Level 2 breaches carry a fine of 50 to 100 per cent of the match fee and/or up to two suspension points, equating to three or four demerit points.

Because Warner admitted the offence, there was no need for a hearing and his punishment was confirmed on Wednesday (March 7) morning. He joins South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada among the players in the series with demerit points against their name who could be banned in the event of a further infraction.

De Kock, meanwhile, has decided to contest his level one charge after South Africa sought clarity over the accusations laid against him. He will now undergo a hearing on Wednesday evening in Port Elizabeth, where the teams are preparing for Friday’s second Test.

The heaviest penalty that de Kock could receive for a level one offence is a fine, but South Africa feel that even this would be unfair given that video footage appears to be the only evidence used by the ICC.

Warner’s level two charge, which related to “bringing the game into disrepute”, is thought to have been handed down purely on the basis of the CCTV footage, with umpires Kumar Dharmasena and S Ravi not hearing any on-field exchange between the players.

Given that de Kock did not react to Warner at all in the footage, South Africa feel he has no case to answer.

“We are appealing level one because we think Quinny didn’t do anything,” coach Ottis Gibson said on Wednesday. “Quinny wasn’t aggressive. You saw some footage and the footage showed Quinny walking up the stairs and somebody else being restrained and then Quinny gets a level one. That doesn’t seem fair.”

A verdict on the wicketkeeper-batsman will be delivered immediately after his hearing, which will take place at the team hotel.

© Cricbuzz

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Australia vice-captain David Warner faces possible suspension from the second Test in Port Elizabeth after he was charged for his involvement in a stairwell altercation with Proteas gloveman Quinton de Kock at tea on day four of the first Test in Durban.

Warner was judged to have breached Level 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for bringing the game into disrepute, while de Kock was charged with a Level 1 offence for the same breach.

A Level 2 charge brings with it 3-4 demerit points and up to 100 per cent fine of a player’s match fee.

If a player accrues four demerit points in the space of 24 four months they are suspended for one Test match or two limited-overs internationals, whichever comes first. 

Both Australia and South Africa have until tomorrow to respond to the charges handed out by match referee Jeff Crowe.

CCTV footage emerged on Sunday night showing Warner and de Kock trading verbal barbs in the stairwell outside the players’ dressing rooms as both teams made their way from the field for the tea break.

Warner had to be physically restrained by his teammates after it was alleged de Kock made derogatory comments about the Australian’s wife.

But in the wake of the incident, the Proteas camp declared both sides got personal on the field, a claim Australia captain Steve Smith denied after his side wrapped up a 118-run win at Kingsmead yesterday.

“We were certainly very chirpy out on the field as well,” Smith told reporters on Monday. 

“As far as I’m aware we didn’t get personal towards Quinton.

“But look – what he said got a little bit personal towards Davey – and as we saw it certainly provoked an emotional response.

“That’s from my opinion – and what I’ve heard from the guys as well.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure but as far as I’m aware I don’t think we got personal.”

While Warner faces a possible suspension, de Kock will be free to play in the second Test. A Level 1 charge brings with it 1-2 demerit points and a fine of up to 50 per cent.

Four players in the series, excluding Warner and de Kock, have demerit points on their records. 

Proteas seamer Kagiso Rabada has five demerit points on his record, Du Plessis has three points, while Australia’s Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon have one point each.

If Rabada, who was suspened for one Test against England last winter, is handed another three points before February next year he will suspended for up to two Tests or four ODIs/T20Is. 

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard

Second Test St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13. Live coverage

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage