- David Warner had to be physically restrained from confronting Quinton de Kock after the fourth day of first Test between South Africa and Australia in Durban
- Leaked CCTV footage revealed ugly scenes in the tunnel at Kingsmead
- Warner had to be held back by Usman Khawaja and other Aussie team-mates
- The Australian vice-captain also exchanged words with Faf du Plessis at tea
- Australia are on the brink of winning the opening Test of the series
Australia’s Test series in South Africa threatened to boil over on Sunday when David Warner had to be physically restrained from confronting Quinton de Kock.
CCTV pictures emerged of ugly scenes in the tunnel at Durban’s Kingsmead Stadium that leads to the dressing rooms when Warner, one of cricket’s most controversial characters, had a fiery exchange with South Africa keeper De Kock.
The confrontation became so heated that Australian vice-captain Warner had to be held back by team-mate Usman Khawaja while wicketkeeper Tim Paine also got involved to try to calm down the highly flammable Warner.
David Warner looks set to find himself in more hot water after he had to be restrained (above) by teammates during a fiery exchange with South African star Quinton de Kock
Warner needed to be held back by teammates, including captain Steve Smith (pictured), as tensions between the pair threatened to boil over after the fourth day’s play
The effort of Australian players including Smith, Khawaja, Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon to come between the pair did little to deter a fired-up Warner
Warner also exchanged words with South Africa captain Faf du Plessis at the tea break on the fourth day of a Test Australia were on the brink of winning going into the final day. Warner was dragged away by his captain Steve Smith.
Disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council and possibly Cricket Australia is sure to follow against Warner, who may also be scrutinised for the way he celebrated the run out of AB de Villiers along with Nathan Lyon.
Warner could find himself in trouble with the ICC and possibly Cricket Australia
Warner bats during Australia’s second innings of the opening Test with South Africa in Durban
Warner marks his half-century during the first innings of the opening Test at Kingsmead
Warner, pictured with wife Candice, also had an argument with Faf du Plessis at tea
It was another example of the often unacceptable way Australia play their cricket, in particular Warner, who upset England with the tone of his sledging towards Jonny Bairstow in the first Ashes Test at Brisbane earlier this winter.
Match referee Jeff Crowe will be under pressure to make an example of the serial offender while Australia would be best advised to do something about their vice-captain’s conduct rather than ask any questions as to how the footage came to be leaked by South African media.
Nathan Lyon runs out AB de Villiers for a duck as Australia claimed a crucial wicket in Durban
With de Villiers unable to make the crease, Lyon appeared to make a comment to him
Lyon then proceeded to drop the ball onto De Villiers as part of his celebration of the run out