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Cricket Australia (CA) is investigating a heated incident involving David Warner after video footage emerged of the Australian vice-captain confronting South Africa's Quinton de Kock during the Tea break on day four of the first Test in Durban.
Australia are just one wicket away from claiming a 1-0 series lead but the spotlight shone on their unsavoury behaviour, most notably a fiery Warner who had demonstratively celebrated the run out of AB de Villiers in the first session.
But the situation has considerably soured after CCTV footage, published by South African outlet Independent Media, showed Warner and de Kock engaging in a verbal stoush as players made their way to the dressing rooms at tea.
Warner had to be restrained by teammate Usman Khawaja and then dragged away by captain Steve Smith after he did not relent on his barbs at de Kock. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, draped in a towel, and other South African players became involved before Warner was escorted away.
"CA is aware of reports of an incident between players in Durban," a Cricket Australia spokesperson said. "CA is working to establish the facts of what has occurred and will not be commenting further until that has been done."
Warner's behaviour was already under the microscope after he sledged opener Aiden Markram in the aftermath of the de Villiers run-out. Nathan Lyon, the Australian offspinner, has also been scrutinised after dropping the ball next to the sprawled dismissed batsman.
In a fiery performance form the visitors, Mitchell Starc, the spearhead, notably engaged in heated exchanges with Markram during the day's play.
Tim Paine, the Australian wicketkeeper, defended the team's behaviour. "We spoke to Aiden about running out their best player and one of the best players in the world," he said after day four. "It was a huge wicket and to have him (de Villiers) run out for zero gets everyone excited and the boys were pumped up. It was nothing aggressive, just reminding him of what he had done to get him off his game... it didn't work."
Warner has a history of being Australia's provocateur and used to be the team's attack dog in an effort to rile opponents. He infamously was sent home from the Champions Trophy and suspended for two Ashes Tests in 2013 after a drunken altercation in a Birmingham pub with current England captain Joe Root.
Since taking a leadership role, the 31-year-old has worked hard on improving his behaviour and credited wife Candice Falzon for the supposed turnaround in his temperament. Warner was the public face in the players' fight during last year's ugly pay dispute with CA and he has recently revealed a desire to enter politics after his cricket career.
Dr Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa's team manager, called the incident unfortunate. "It's rather unfortunate that the incident took place and certainly not in the spirit of the game. The match referee had spoken to us after the day's play. We will await any further communication from the ICC around this incident," he said in a statement released by Cricket South Africa.
(CRICBUZZ)
