Former England captain Michael Vaughan has denied promoting ‘personal abuse’ against Australian players during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
Vaughan was involved in a war of words with David Warner’s wife Candice on Twitter after making light of the Australian team wants to lodge an official complaint about the abuse they got from South African fans in the stadium.
The former England captain suggested that Australian players’ own behaviour inflamed tensions during the four-match Test series but those comments didn’t go down too well with Candice.
“It’s making me chuckle the Aussies are making an official complaint about the personal abuse they are receiving,” Vaughan tweeted.
It’s making me chuckle the Aussies are making an official complaint about the personal abuse they are receiving … #please !!!! #SAvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2018
Candice Warner then furiously replied, “I’m glad it’s making you laugh” before adding, “so you would approve of the same treatment to your wife and three kids.”
I’m glad it’s making you laugh.
— Candice Warner (@CandiceWarner31) March 24, 2018
Wow so you would approve of the same treatment to your wife and 3 kids??
— Candice Warner (@CandiceWarner31) March 24, 2018
Vaughan soon hit back by saying the behaviour of Australian cricketers on the field had something to do with the outrage off the field.
“Absolutely not,” Vaughan said, “but off field anger in my experience starts with on field behaviour by players, so maybe you need to look closer to home as to why.”
Absolutely not … But off field anger in my experience starts with on field behaviour by players … so maybe you need to look closer to home as to why !!!! https://t.co/pat8TlAIeX
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2018
Following a bust-up between David Warner and Quinton de Kock where the Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman reportedly made comments about Candice Warner’s tryst with New Zealand rugby star Sonny Bill Williams in a Sydney hotel in 2007, South Africans also started chanting about the 2007 tryst.
Some South African supporters even reached the stadium donning Sonny Bill masks that only served to further infuriate the Australian camp.
David Warner’s tour of South Africa has been marred by various untoward incidents.
Captain Steve Smith and his vice-captain Warner stepped down from their “leadership” roles of Australian team after admitting to tampering the ball during the third Test at the Newlands.
Australian opener Cameron Bancroft was caught red-handed by TV cameras appearing to rub a yellow object on the ball during South Africa’s 2nd innings in the 3rd Test.
The ICC has suspended Smith for one Test and docked his entire match fee while Bancroft got a 75 percent fine and three demerit points.
