David Warner will be available to play the second Test between South Africa and Australia after accepting a Level 2 sanction from ICC match referee Jeff Crowe for his spat with Quinton de Kock.
The Australian deputy skipper’s ugly verbal row with the Proteas wicket-keeper was revealed as leaked CCTV footage of the incident was released on the fourth day of the opening Test between the two sides at Durban.
The video showed Warner having to be physically restrained by his team-mates as he tried to confront the South African on the way to the dressing rooms during the tea interval.
The volatile character has come under fire from several former players, including ex-South Africa skipper Graeme Smith, for his disciplinary problems.
Warner has now accepted his role for the Level 2 breach of ICC’s code of conduct which has been accompanied by a fine of 75 per cent of his match fees or approximately $13,500. He will also receive three ICC demerit points for his offence, meaning he will be free to take part in the second Test at Port Elizabeth.
EXCLUSIVE!
Hear what David Warner said to Quinton de Kock and listen to what KG Rabada responded with.
Audio contains explicit language. pic.twitter.com/Pj86l0d9kK
— Simmi Areff (@simmiareff) March 5, 2018
Four demerit points in the space of 24 months would mean the Australian being automatically suspended for one Test or two ODIsT20Is, whichever comes first.
De Kock had been handed a Level 1 charge by the match referee for bringing the game into disrepute for his part in the spat. Both the players had 24 hours to respond to the charges. While Warner and the Australians have accepted the charges, it remains to be seen if South Africa will do the same for de Kock.
The visitors had claimed a 118-run victory in the opening Test to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The second Test at Port Elizabeth gets underway on Friday.
