CA complains over officials who mocked Warner’s wife

CA has complained to its South African counterpart after officials were involved in mocking David Warner and his wife.

Cricket South Africa officials Clive Eksteen and Alteef Kazi with the masked fans

Cricket Australia has complained to Cricket South Africa after officials were involved in mocking David Warner and his wife Candice during the second Test, as Australian players and officials jumped to the embattled player’s defence over suggestions of ball tampering.

The bin fires are burning again and there’s so much smoke the high-quality cricket is only glimpsed on occasion.

As for the cricket, South Africa took a substantial lead of 139 at the completion of their first innings, but it was overshadowed by the actions of their volatile pace bowler Kagiso Rabada who faces the possibility of a long Test ban.

Rabada is already carrying five demerit points and has been charged after making contact Australia skipper Steve Smith in the tourists’ first innings.

He is now almost certainly in even more trouble after giving Warner a send-off after bowling the opener for 13 when the Australians batted for a second time. It did not look good and he may miss even more matches.

The South African lead was built largely on the shoulders of veteran batsman AB de Villiers who compiled his sixth hundred (126) against the Australians and the 22nd of his extraordinary career.

The tensions in this series are rising to almost ridiculous levels, with the animosity in the middle now seemingly spreading to the boardrooms.

“Cricket Australia spoke to Cricket South Africa officials yesterday to express disappointment with this matter and events that unfolded off-field on Friday at St George’s Park,” a spokesperson said yesterday. “CA appreciates the swift response, including the sincere apology from CSA, and the seriousness with which the matter is being treated.”

Cricket South Africa has sent a pair of officials who posed with fans wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks on the first day of the game a please explain.

Head of marketing Clive Eksteen and head of communications Alteef Kazi have been called back to head office in Johannesburg following the incident and it is understood they will be asked to account for their actions at a meeting today.

Meanwhile, South African commentators were intrigued by bandaging on Warner’s left hand, with former South African skipper Graeme Smith making several references to it during the coverage. The opening batsman and AB de Villiers have had a number of on-field exchanges during the game.

Warner told The Australian he wears the protective bandages because he has broken his thumb twice and his index finger during an ODI against England. He wears padding on the palm after the hand was bruised in a recent T20 against New Zealand.

Match referee Jeff Crowe told the Australian team he had no issue with the bandaging as Warner is not a bowler.

Warner and De Villiers have some history on the issue after the Australian vice-captain implied the South African was up to no good with the ball during the Test at Port Elizabeth four years ago.

Former fast bowler and current under-19 coach Ryan Harris leapt to Warner’s defence yesterday.

“I think their allegations are a little bit frivolous,” Harris said. “I think they’re obviously looking for something to pin on him. He’s one step away from suspension, as we heard after the last week.

“The times I played with Davey he had all that strapping on his fingers. Unless there’s something rough, sand or glass or something on that taping, that’s not going to do anything to the ball.”

Warner is on three demerit points following a clash with Quinton de Kock over abuse of his wife during the second Test.

Teammate Mitchell Marsh also defended the opening batsman. “David’s had a lot of broken fingers, he doesn’t bowl. At the end of the day it’s just tape. He shines the ball and that’s it, there’s not much more to say really.”

Harris also defended Warner over the incident early in the Test that led to his penalty.

“It is disgraceful. It has been very unfair for Candice,” Harris said.

“As soon as I saw it happen I said to my wife, ‘Something personal has been said there’ because I know Davey pretty well. He goes pretty hard on the field but in my experiences with him, he doesn’t cross that line with personal stuff about opposition players.

“It has to stop. When you mention family and especially girls, it is not the way to go.’’