Australia’s deputy skipper David Warner has been hit with three demerit points and fined 75 percent of his match fee after deciding not to contest the Level Two charges that came from his altercation with South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock.

CCTV footage from a staircase leading up to the change rooms showed Warner continuing to engage in a verbal banter with De Kock as South Africa and Australia broke for tea on the fourth day of the first Test in Durban.

Also read: ICC Takes Strict Actions Against David Warner and Quinton de Kock

Australians are stating that Warner was provoked by personal comments that De Kock made about his wife, but the opening batsman has accepted the charges of bringing the game into disgrace and is now one demerit point away from a ban.

Quinton de Kock fights for the charges

South Africa, meanwhile, have sought transparency over the nature of the Level One charge thrown at Quinton for his part in the incident. Because Level One relates to breaking the spirit of the game, it encompasses a broad range of charges. The South African team is yet to respond formally to match referee Jeff Crowe on that charge.

The heaviest penalty that de Kock could receive for a level one offense is fine, but the Proteas feel that even this would be unfair given that video footage appears to be the only evidence used by the ICC. Given the fact that De Kock did not react to Warner at all in the footage, South Africa reckons that he has no case to answer.

Also read: Warner Recieves 3 Demerit Points Along With A Huge Fine

Talking about the issue, South African coach, Ottis Gibson said, “We are appealing level one because we think Quinny didn’t do anything. Quinny wasn’t aggressive. You saw some footage and the footage showed Quinny walking up the stairs and somebody else being restrained and then Quinny gets a level one. That doesn’t seem fair.”

A verdict on Quinton’s case will be delivered immediately after his hearing, which will take place at the team hotel.