Cricket in 2018: 5 Biggest controversies of the year

4. Derogatory verbal war between De Kock and Warner

Banters are healthy as long as they’re not personally crucifying one’s feelings and the Sandpaper Gate certainly shadowed what could’ve been the ugliest controversy of 2018. All the fans who follow David Warner closely on social media would understand how much a family man he is and he will not tolerate anything that makes his family uncomfortable.

During the first Test at Durban, which the Aussies won handsomely, there were some verbal exchanges between Warner and Quinton de Kock. On their way back to the dressing room after a session, De Kock apparently had muttered something about Warner’s wife and that fumed the Aussie.

“I just would have liked him to say the comment a little bit louder, instead of muttering it under his breath next to me and Tim Paine. Then walking up the stairs and saying ’I didn’t say anything’ as soon as the rest of his team-mates came out. We’re all men and if you’re going to say something, you look someone in the eye and say it,” said Warner.

Cricket South Africa officials released a statement saying the Aussie opener had started the banter with personal abuse during the game, to which Warner replied, “It is quite disappointing that they would come out and make that statement.” Warner was imposed with $13,500 fine, three demerit points and some damage to his reputation in the eyes of the cricketing audience.