South Africa captain Faf du Plessis charged by ICC for ball tampering
THE ICC has confirmed it has charged South Africa captain Faf du Plessis after video footage showed him shining the ball with the aid of a lolly.
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THE International Cricket Council has confirmed it has charged South Africa captain Faf du Plessis for ball tampering following the Proteas' win over Australia, placing him in danger of missing a Test.
The ICC announced on Friday afternoon it has charged du Plessis for breaching its code of conduct, relating to “changing the condition of the ball”.
He has pleaded not guilty and the matter will go to a hearing, at a date yet to be confirmed.
Du Plessis was caught on camera applying spit to the match ball with what appeared to be a mint or a lolly in his mouth.
South Africa won the Hobart Test by an innings and 80 runs.
The ICC statement read:
“South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been charged for breaching Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct after television footage appeared to show him applying an artificial substance to the ball during the fourth day’s play in the second Test in Hobart, which concluded on Tuesday.
“The charge relates to changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 and has been laid by the ICC Chief Executive David Richardson who has exercised his right to do so according to Article 3.1.3 of the Code.
“Du Plessis has pleaded not guilty to the charge and, as such, the matter will now be heard by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. Details of the hearing will be announced in due course.
“The alleged incident happened on Tuesday morning when TV footage appeared to show du Plessis applying saliva and residue from a mint or sweet, an artificial substance, to the ball in an attempt to change its condition.
“All level 2 breaches carry an imposition of a fine between 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the applicable match fee and/or up to two suspension points, and three or four demerit points.”
Du Plessis was fined by the ICC for rubbing the ball on a trouser zipper during a 2013 Test against Pakistan, something he was sledged about during a heated 2014 Test series between Australia and South Africa.
Match referee David Boon noted in 2013 he was satisfied du Plessis’ actions were “not part of a deliberate and/or prolonged attempt to unfairly manipulate the condition of the ball”.
Footage emerged on Wednesday, a day after South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing series.
In what appeared to be tactics similar to those used by England during the 2005 Ashes series to enhance the ball’s ability to swing, the clip shows du Plessis - with a white lolly in his mouth - licking his finger before rubbing the Kookaburra.
No action was taken against England 11 years ago, however law 42.3 of the MCC cricket laws states that a fielder may polish a ball, “provided that no artificial substance is used”.
Neither umpire at Bellerive reported du Plessis.
Earlier Friday, Du Plessis’s teammates - led by Hashim Amla - led a spirited defence of their captain.
Originally published as South Africa captain Faf du Plessis charged by ICC for ball tampering
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