Twitter polarized over Warner-de Kock altercation in Durban

Australian vice-captain and swashbuckling opener David Warner’s history of being in the news for wrong reasons is a long one. Nearly five years ago, he was involved in a notorious incident at the Walkabout bar in Birmingham with England’s Joe Root. He appeared to have mellowed down in the years to come as he assumed a role of a senior in the team but that never took away his aggressive, in-your-face persona on the field.

He has been known to give a mouthful and be involved in initiating verbal volleys on the field which also makes the aggressive batsman a sight to watch on television for most people. Just yesterday, he was seen showering Aiden Markram with a long emotionally-charged spray of words after he was on the non-striker’s end when AB de Villiers was run out for a duck.

However, the footage of the off-field incident released after the end of play on Day 4 of the Durban Test between South Africa and Australia has brought him in the limelight for wrong reasons. According to a CCTV footage, players of both sides were walking back for tea when the opener directed a verbal barrage against South Africa’s Quinton de Kock.

The reason for the heated argument and Warner’s reaction is unclear but it is being speculated that it was a result of an alleged barb about his wife Candice. However, nothing can be confirmed until ICC and Cricket Australia shed light on the incident post investigation.

Social media, as a result, is polarized after this incident. While some believe that this is part and parcel when playing against Australia and should not be made into a controversy, others believe that it is high time David Warner is punished since South African pacer Kagiso Rabada was punished for swearing after picking a wicket some months ago and some also believe that if a comment was passed about his wife, such a reaction is not unjustified.

Here is the reaction of Twitter on this incident