Ian Chappell reacts to the David Warner-Quinton de Kock furore

Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann have both been dragged into the sledging feud in South Africa as several Australian cricket legends had their say on David Warner’s ugly confrontation with Quinton de Kock. Both Warner and De Kock have been charged with bringing the game into disrepute for their stairwell altercation on day four of the first Test in Durban.

It was de Kock’s personal comment, allegedly about Warner’s wife, that sparked the controversy. However, the Proteas accused the Aussies of being just as personal in their sledging on the field. Warner was revealed to have called de Kock a “f***ing sook” as they left the field on the day four tea break, seconds before the ugly off-the-field altercation took place.

Warner had to receive more flak in this situation because of his long history of altercations but former Aussie cricket captain Ian Chappell said more emphasis needs to be put on the roles of Cricket Australia and coach Darren Lehmann in fostering an environment where sledging is seen as an acceptable part of the game.

This came as a reaction to Lehmann voicing his unwavering support for Warner in the controversy, declaring he would undoubtedly remain as vice-captain of the side and said: “pushing the boundaries” was part of Test cricket. And also the Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland’s statement where he claims that exchanging words is a formality within the sport.

“I’m hearing it (sledging) is part of the game — that’s rubbish, it’s not part of the game,” Chappell told 3AW’s Sportsday.

“He (Warner) is the one who’s going to get into trouble but what about the people who are encouraging him to do it? You go back a few years, he said he was encouraged by the captain and by the coach to do it.

“Then he decided he’d had enough of that, he didn’t want to do it, he didn’t want to be the attack dog, now for some reason or other he’s back as the attack dog.”

The coaching staff has brought back the old Warner says, Ian Chappell

It was believed that Warner had mellowed down and toned down his aggression when he was handed the responsibility of the vice-captain and assumed seniority in the team. However, it is also believed that in recent times, the teammates said, ‘The Reverend is gone, the Bull is back.’ Chappell believes that environment and the backing of the coach and management have encouraged Warner to do so.

“I’ve heard James Sutherland say it’s part of the game, he appoints the coach, it’s just ridiculous that it’s allowed to go on. The more you allow players to talk on the field the more likelihood there is something personal will be said. “Lehmann hasn’t got a very good track record as a player (when it comes to sledging) if you delve into that a little bit and he’s one who’s encouraged it and someone’s got to say to him — and that’s got to come from above from Cricket Australia — ‘Listen, Darren, it’s not part of the game.’