Quinton de Kock fined over ugly altercation with David Warner in South Africa
SOUTH African Quinton de Kock has been found guilty and fined for his role in the ugly scrap with David Warner — a fracas Warner blamed on disparaging remarks made about his wife.
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SOUTH African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was fined 25 per cent of his match fee and given one demerit point on Wednesday for his role in the ugly altercation with Australia’s David Warner during the first Test in Durban.
Although an official statement had not yet been issued by the International Cricket Council, a Cricket South Africa spokesman confirmed the finding by match referee Jeff Crowe.
De Kock was found guilty of a level one offence under the ICC code of conduct. He had contested the charge and a hearing was held by Crowe on Wednesday evening.
South Africa argued de Kock was provoked, but Crowe ruled the original punishment of one demerit point and a fine should stand.
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South Africa on Wednesday contested the low charge levelled against de Kock for his part in the stairwell bust-up with Warner.
However, Warner and Tim Paine weren’t required to appear at a hearing in front of the match referee despite South Africa making the stunning decision to contest the charge.
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The extraordinary decision to not accept the match referee’s call was reminiscent of farcical scenes in Adelaide two summers ago when du Plessis himself fought to have a ball tampering charge taken off his record, despite video footage of him with a mint in his mouth as he shined the ball.
Du Plessis failed at two separate hearings.
De Kock’s denial of any guilt, despite Warner having Australian wicketkeeper Paine as a direct witness to what was said about wife, Candice, as players went up the race on day four of the first Test for tea would appear to contradict comments du Plessis made at his post-match press conference where he admitted South Africa had crossed the line into personal abuse — only so had Australia.
“I think from both parties, from what I’ve heard, there was a lot of personal stuff being said,” said du Plessis on Monday.
“That’s obviously what made it go off the field. That’s us included. If you want to go personal then it needs to stay on the field.”
Unless South Africa are to argue de Kock never said anything about Candice Warner, it’s difficult to imagine how he can get off the lowest available charge — particularly when David Warner has already accepted his guilt in the incident and copped a heavy fine and three demerit points.
De Kock risked a heavier penalty by appealing, but will not miss the second Test in Port Elizabeth.
Paine said he wouldn’t be paying any attention to the South African appeal.
“I’m not surprised and not bothered,” he said.
“It doesn’t affect the way we’re going to go about this Test. Davey has accepted responsibility for his part in what happened in the race the other day and whatever the South African team decide to do is up to them.
“Davey has accepted his punishment and we’re ready for this next Test.”