David Warner-Quinton de Kock scuffle: Australia vice-captain fined 75 percent of match fee

New Delhi, March 7: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday (March 7) has found Australia vice-captain David Warner guilty of breaching Level 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct and fined 75 percent of his match fee. Warner has been penalised for his off-field scuffle with South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock during the fourth day of the first Test in Durban. As per an ICC release, Warner admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe, who heads the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.

"Warner was found to have breached Article 2.2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "conduct that brings the game into disrepute," following an altercation with South Africa player Quinton de Kock on Sunday near the team dressing rooms, which was captured on CCTV," said the ICC release.

In addition to this, three demerit points have been added to Warner's disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence since the introduction of the Revised Code in September 2016.

Level 2 breaches carry a fine of 50 to 100 percent of the match fee and/or up to two suspension points, equating to three or four demerit points.

Warner admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Sundaram Ravi, third umpire Chris Gaffaney and fourth umpire Allahudiean Palekar.

He will, however, be able to play the second Test match between the two sides.

South Africa player De Kock was also reported along with Warner for the incident. De Kock has yet to respond to the level 1 charge which also relates to "conduct that brings the game into disrepute."

Warner who has had quite a few on and off-field altercations that put him under the category of an 'ultimate bully' with the latest altercation that occurred on the fourth day of the Durban Test.

A video footage emerged showing Aussie firebrand Warner pointing and directing a verbal barrage at De Kock during Sunday's play at Kingsmead before he was restrained and pulled away by his teammates. The incident reportedly took place as the players were returning to their dressing rooms at tea.

Players from both the sides came out in the defence of both the players as the entire episode took an ugly turn when the Australian side alleged that De Kock made a personal comment on Warner.

Earlier, the ICC announced that Warner and de Kock were reported for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct following their altercation which was captured on CCTV. The umpires officiating in the Durban Test have reported Warner for a Level 2 offence and de Kock for a Level 1 offence.