South African great shreds 'bully' Warner

1 year ago 58

Former South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis says helium has nary clip for David Warner, labelling the opener a "bully".

The brace were astatine the centre of the infamous 2018 "Sandpapergate" series, which saw a fig of disfigured confrontations betwixt Australia and South Africa.

It resulted successful the suspensions of Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft aft the ball-tampering contention exploded during the 3rd Test successful Cape Town.

The bid got disconnected to a fiery commencement successful Durban, with Warner and South African prima Quinton de Kock progressive successful a heated confrontation successful a stairwell arsenic the players near the tract for beverage connected time four.

That followed an aggravated play of play, wherever Warner had been astatine the centre of what South Africa felt was an overly excessive solemnisation pursuing the run-out of AB de Villiers.

Leaked footage from surveillance cameras showed du Plessis, wearing lone a towel, becoming progressive successful the Warner-de Kock quality arsenic the players near the field.

"Australia wanted to bully us," du Plessis told the BBC.

"We had to basal up for ourselves. They abused america that full crippled but the mode we fought backmost turned the bid around."

The erstwhile skipper said helium had immoderate sympathy for Bancroft, who helium labelled impressionable, and admiration for the talents of Smith.

But determination was nary specified praise for Warner.

"He was a bully," said du Plessis.

"I don't person clip for bullies."

The 69-Test seasoned was progressive successful contention of his ain during his career. In 2013 helium was recovered blameworthy of rubbing the shot connected the zipper of his pants, portion successful 2016 helium was astatine the centre of the 'Mintgate' controversy, wherever helium was shown utilizing saliva from a mint connected the shot successful a Test successful Hobart.

"I'm not perfect," helium conceded. "I've ne'er claimed to be. I've ne'er been the astir talented player.

"Yes, I person talent, but it's hard enactment and intelligence toughness that got maine to wherever I am."

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