Warner opens up on ‘vile’ attack

DAVID Warner has given a frank insight into his ragefuelled rant directed at South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock on the fourth day of the first cricket Test in Durban.

Warner regrets losing control in the ugly staircase stoush that cost him about $13,500, three demerit points and a fair whack of reputational damage in the eyes of the Australian public.

Australia’s vice-captain said he must handle future situations much better, but also vowed to continue defending his family.

De Kock unsuccessfully contested his level-one charge of bringing the game into disrepute, resulting from a derogatory comment.

“I cop it left, right and centre, especially off the field from spectators. I am used to that and it doesn’t bother me,” Warner told reporters after he accepted a level-two charge.

“I’ve been called everything under the sun out on the field and that, quite frankly, doesn’t bother me. But in the proximity of my personal space and behind me, a comment that was vile and disgusting and about my wife — and just in general about a lady — was quite poor.

“It was just something that I don’t believe should have been said . . . [it was] out of line.

“I responded emotionally and regretted the way it played out, but I’ll always stick up for my family.”

Warner insists he didn’t want things to become violent.

“I just would have liked him to say the comment a little bit louder, instead of muttering it under his breath,” Warner said. “If you’re going to say something, you look someone in the eye and say it.”