Australia vs South Africa: David Warner faces questions of ball tampering
South Africa appeared to accuse David Warner of ball tampering, as tensions between the bitter rivals continued to simmer.
- Warner faces tampering claims
- S African apology to Warner family
- Paceman faces ban from series
- Band stirs disquiet among umpires
Australia v South Africa, second Test, stumps on day at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. The Proteas are 7-263 in reply to Australia’s first innings of 243.
Tensions simmer as Test ebbs and flows
South Africa have a first-innings lead of 20 with three wickets in hand and one of the greats of the era at the crease.
For a moment it looked as if they would be denied it, but the class of AB de Villiers countered the counter-attacked in a magnificent last session on day two at Port Elizabeth.
The Australian bowlers were relentless, the South African batsmen determined, the cricket was slow and at times almost torturous, but it was a captivating battle between a home side who had glimpsed a way back into the series and the visitors who were trying to make up for that fact.
Steve Smith’s batsmen had conceded the advantage on day one, helpless against a rampaging Kagiso Rabada, who tore the heart out of their innings.
On day two Faf du Plessis’ top order struggled to make a run against a swinging ball, but dug in and denied the best bowling attack in the world for two long sessions.
Recommencing on 1-39 and chasing 243, the home side lost only the night watchman (Rabada) in the first four hours of play.
The Australian bowlers gave no quarter and the game dragged on. Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar were allowed just 43 runs in 26 overs during the second session and while they appeared to be treading water, at least they kept their heads above it.
The only drama in the session came when the umpires seized the ball and would not let play continue lest the St George’s Park Band stop playing. The band stormed out, the crowd began a protest. The band were convinced to return, the umpires stopped play again and a stand-off ensued.
Eventually, some form of compromise was brokered and the game continued.
After the break the tempo rose.
Mitchell Starc bowled Amla (56) in his first over of the last session and triggered a collapse. The batsman had been there for 148 deliveries.
#SAvAUS @davidwarner31 whats this then? Init illegal? pic.twitter.com/sSmDYoVmQd
— Sam Rogue (@SamRogue1) March 10, 2018
His partner Elgar was out on the 197th delivery he faced in the next over from Josh Hazlewood for 57 — his fifth half-century at the ground had taken five hours.
The ball was reversing through the afternoon and made starting difficult for any new batsman.
Faf du Plessis (9) was LBW to Marsh and Theunis de Bruyn (1) fell the same way to the same bowler in his next over.
Quinton de Kock (9) was next to go, victim of a beautiful turning delivery from Nathan Lyon which bowled him, and Australia was pressing for a first-innings advantage.
Enter de Villiers and with him another change. What was so difficult for everyone else was made to look easy, he hit boundaries at will, compiling 14 on the way to an innings-saving 74no at the close of play.
Vernon Philander (14no) stayed with him, surviving the new ball and South Africa are 7-263.
Drama swirls around both teams
Meanwhile, the two officials caught in the scandal the day before have been flown to Johannesburg where they will face a disciplinary process.
Clive Eksteen, CSA’s head of commercial and marketing, and Altaaf Kazi, the organisation’s head of communications, were pictured with their arms round each other as they stood next to three men in Sonny Bill Williams masks — a ploy to taunt David Warner over an incident with his wife Candice and the footballer.
Candice Warner and their two children were at the ground when the incident occurred.
Cricket South Africa issued an apology but the two officials have not been heard from,
“On behalf of CSA I extend my sincere apologies to the Board of Cricket Australia (CA), its officials, team management, players and their families,” CSA President Chris Nenzani said in a statement.
The cricket body disowned the actions of the pair in the statement.
“Cricket South Africa wishes to distance itself from the alleged action of certain officials in associating themselves with fans wearing masks representing the face of Sonny Bill Williams, which conduct is seemingly related to the Warner/De Kock incident during the opening day of the second Sunfoil Test match at St. George’s Park,” the statement said..
“While CSA respects the rights of its fans to represent their own points of view, CSA does not associate itself with these actions and urges all Protea supporters from refraining from being involved in distasteful or unwelcome actions that may impact the image of the sport and its supporters.
“CSA has taken immediate precautionary steps against the CSA officials allegedly involved in this incident and will follow the organisation’s normal internal processes in this regard.”
There is another issue brewing, with the South African batsman appearing to complain about bandaging on Warner’s hand. The batsman is in charge of ball maintenance and has been accused in the middle by the opposition of tampering with ball.
Questions will be asked. Watch this space. And de Villiers.
A great game of cricket is simmering.
2.30am: Stumps
Vernon Philander plays out the final balls of the day, delivered by Josh Hazlewood. South Africa have a lead of just 20, but AB de Villiers (74) and Philander (14) look capable of building on that on day three. The pair has added 36 runs and safely negotiated, thus far, the new ball. Pat Cummins (2-55 off 20 overs) and Mitch Marsh (2-26 off nine) were the pick of the bowlers.
2.05am: Scores level, new rock taken
AB de Villiers continues to score without too much trouble, swatting a boundary off Nathan Lyon to square leg for four, then a pair off Pat Cummins courtesy of a leg glance and up-and-under behind the slips. This batsman is playing a different game. De Villiers has 67 off 74 and South Africa are now 7-243 and level with Australia.
Steve Smith decides to take the new ball, giving first use of it to Mitchell Starc.
1.50am: Lyon produces a ripper
Nathan Lyon chips in with his first wicket of the innings and it’s worth the wait. Quinton de Kock does little wrong to a ball from around the wicket that curls into the batsman, pitches on middle and then turns sharply to clip the off bail. Brilliant.
De Kock is out for 9, South Africa now 7-228. Vernon Philander joins AB de Villiers.
1.40am: AB seeing, and delivering
Signs of life from South Africa as AB de Villiers goes on the attack. He takes 12 off one Pat Cummins over, edging the home team closer to a first-innings lead. He then cracks Mitchell Starc to backward point and mid-wicket off consecutive balls to reach his half-century.
De Villiers has 53 off 63 deliveries. Quinton de Kock has 9, the partnership is worth 44 runs and the Proteas trail by just 16 runs at 6-227.
1.15am: Marsh strikes again
Part-timer Mitch Marsh picks up another wicket, and it’s a similar dismissal to that of Faf du Plessis. This time Theunis de Bruyn is rapped on the pads and the umpire deliberates for what seems like an age before sending the right-hander on his way.
It was a full delivery that swings and cuts back off the seam. It looked to be hitting some part of leg stump.
South Africa now 6-183, trailing by 60.
1am: Big wicket!
Faf du Plessis has been removed by all-rounder Mitch Marsh, lbw, for 9. The ball nips back and hits the skipper on the back leg. It looks plumb but the batsman asks for a second opinion. The on-field decision is confirmed and South Africa lose a review. They are now 5-179, with de Villiers (15) being joined by Theunis de Bruyn.
12.45am: Close call
Crucial partnership here between skipper Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers. The ball is still reversing, the new ball is not far away and the hosts are still 68 runs behind Australia’s first innings.
Pat Cummins hits de Villiers and the ball spoons up to Smith at second slip. The umpire rules not out but Smith asks for a review. It has hit the batsman’s forearm, then shoulder but no glove. South Africa remain 4-175, with de Villiers on 15 and du Plessis 5.
12.20am: Another wicket!
Dean Elgar’s long resistance comes to an end, as Josh Hazlewood gets a delivery to leave him just enough to get a feather to wicketkeeper Tim Paine. Elgar’s innings of 57 consumed 197 balls and the best part of three sessions.
South Africa now 4-155.
The lone stadium official dealing with the Port Elizabeth Brass Band. #SAVAUS pic.twitter.com/LIC6bzkVkU
— Jay Mueller (@bad_producer) March 10, 2018
12.05am: A Starc reminder
It’s taken four balls after tea and a jolt of action comes in the form of a Mitchell Starc jaffa that rips Hashim Amla’s off stump out of the ground.
It’s a full, 137km/h pearler from around the wicket that spears into Amla but pitches and jags away slightly, beating bat and pad. Pretty much unplayable.
Amla departs for 56 and South Africa are 3-155.
11.45pm: Tea and (no) symphony
A combination of the South African batsmen’s aversion to risk and the Australian bowlers’ relentless, dry, nagging lines has ground the second Test to a halt.
Hashim Amla (54no) and Dean Elgar (57) put on 43 runs in the 26 overs of the second session, crawling to 2-153 at the break.
They have survived lbw decisions, nicks, plays and misses and atrophy. It’s a slow wicket but that’s no excuse.
The only interest in the afternoon has been a protest in the stands after the band stormed out. The umpires requested the St Georges Park Band be quiet on a number of occasions. Fed up with the disrespect, the musicians stood up and paraded out.
With the Australians having taken a vow of silence it is as quiet as a monastery at the ground.
The St George’s Brass Band has stormed out of stadium after being told to keep quiet by umpires. Should have blown a raspberry on way.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 10, 2018
The band has been dismissed
— Gerard Whateley (@GerardWhateley) March 10, 2018
The South African batsman are grimly resisting #stalemate @SENNews #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/n91Zv0EH5o
11.25pm: Ban the band?
The umpires have, a couple of times today, stopped play and apparently asked the brass band that plays constantly at this ground to put the proverbial sock in it.
Commentators Michael Holding and Mark Nicholas discuss the validity of the complaint. Nicholas believes umpires should have quiet so that they can hear edges behind, while Holding believes they should be told to merely lower the volume as the bowler delivers.
We’ll go with the guy nicknamed “Whispering Death” by umpires because of his stealthy approach to the crease.
The umpires have heard your complaints and asked the Port Elizabeth band to keep the noise level down.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 10, 2018
I suppose its hard to judge LBWs, but still ...
11.10pm: Reprieve for Rabada
Dean Elgar edges Mitch Marsh through the spot where third slip would be and reaches his 50. It’s come off 164 balls and contained six boundaries. Not pretty by any means, but very effective.
Meanwhile, an update on Kagiso Rabada:
Rabada code of conduct hearing moved to day 3. He has gastro now. Hope he didn’t give it to Smith.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 10, 2018
10.55pm: 50 for Amla
Amla ends a rough trot of form with his 39th Test half-century. He’s faced 122 balls and hit six boundaries.
Meanwhile, Dean Elgar somehow continues to survive at the other end. He’s scored just eight runs in the 75 minutes since lunch, and has 48 off 159 deliveries. The Aussies have gone close to picking up Elgar’s wicket numerous times, but the gritty opener has kept out deliveries that looked like bowling him, trapping him in front or drawing an edge behind.
that little smile by Hashim Amla. how I've longed for it. go big Hash!! #SAvsAUS #ProteaFire #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/Vx2VAl3Ujp
— Musanda waKhanya (@khanyanorman) March 10, 2018
10.30pm: Out! Not out!
Another reprieve for Hashim Amla, but this one is more clear cut. He’s given out lbw to Josh Hazlewood for 40 and immediately sends it upstairs to the third umpire. The replay shows that Amla has edged it onto his pads, and he survives.
There is certainly reverse swing out there for Hazlewood and Starc.
10.20pm: Reverse gear?
Mitchell Starc is back in the attack, looking to unleash some reverse swing with a ball that is now 48 overs old. The left-armer gets a couple to hoop in towards left-handed Dean Elgar.
Josh Hazlewood is operating from the other end. You sense that it’s here that this match might be decided. A few quick wickets will put Australia right back in the game, while the batsmen will look to survive the threat.
Amla is 39, Elgar 45 and the home team are 2-126.
STATS: Highest scores for South Africa in Test cricket. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/zCtY2Ivc8A
— SA Cricket magazine (@SACricketmag) March 10, 2018
10pm: Cummins probing
Pat Cummins has found his mark after lunch. He’s bowling at good pace, around 145km/h, and is working a probing line at Hashim Amla’s off stump. It’s been an absorbing battle between two world-class cricketers.
Amla goes on to the back foot and punches Lyon to the boundary in front of point to bring up the 50 partnership between this pair.
South Africa are 2-120, with Dean Elgar 42 and Amla 37.
back to back terrific deliveries by Pat#SAvAUS
— Nikhil Mane ðŸðŸ‡¦ðŸ‡º (@nikhiltait) March 10, 2018
9.30pm: Lunchtime entertainment
Kids and crowd on field during lunch break at PE. In Australia it’s kids and corporates only. pic.twitter.com/jml2ZAIzWB
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 10, 2018
9.05pm: Proteas gain upper hand
At lunch Australia on day two Australia are in trouble with South Africa moving to 2-110 at the break.
Dean Elgar is 38no and Hashim Amla 31no. The side added 71 in the session, losing only Kagiso Rabada, who was bowled by Pat Cummins for 29.
Alma was reproved on an lbw decision from Cummins in the same over.
8.45pm: Apology for Warner family slur
South African cricket officials have apologised over the ugly incident at the ground yesterday involving its officials and spectators wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks.
The masks were part of a slur aimed at David Warner’s wife. Read more here
8.20pm: Tight battle
Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar are steadily building a partnership, as Nathan Lyon is introduced into the attack and gets the odd ball to zip off the pitch.
Elgar has 34 and Amla 14 as the hosts move to 2-89. After four overs Lyon has 0-6, and it is clear that he will be a handful on this pitch as the game goes on.
Dennis Lilee > are all match bans equal @ ICC @KagisoRabada25 #savaus pic.twitter.com/433TFy16v0
— Greg Smith (@gregsmithsays) March 10, 2018
8pm: Amla gets a reprieve
Drama as Hashim Amla is given out lbw from the bowling of Pat Cummins for 7 with the score on 2-77. The right-hander calls for a review, however, and the third umpire ascertains that the ball pitched outside off stump.
Amla, who is halfway off the ground when the decision is overturned, returns to the crease after the let-off.
7.45pm: Cummins breaks through!
Pat Cummins is brought into the attack and he has success with his second ball, as Rabada unluckily plays on for 29. There wasn’t much doing with that delivery, it was short outside off stump and Rabada’s angled bat sent the ball onto the base of off stump.
After the end of that 45-run stand South Africa are 2-67. Cummins has 2-9.
7.30pm: Tailender frustrates Aussies
After the first half-hour of the day nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada and opener Dean Elgar remain at the crease. They have added 24 runs this morning while hardly looking troubled.
Rabada smashes Josh Hazlewood to the third man boundary to move to 29 off 38 balls. Elgar has 22 and the hosts are now 1-63. The partnership is now worth a very handy 41 runs.
7pm: Ban looms for Rabada
Good morning from Port Elizabeth for some, not so good for others.
Kagiso Rabada has been given a Level 2 Code of Conduct report for bumping Steve Smith after dismissing the batsman yesterday. He is carrying 5 demerit points, the charge carries 3-4 demerit points which means he will miss the rest of the series if it is sustained. There is a hearing tonight.
It is a terrible blow after the bowler destroyed the Australians, taking 5-13 in a three over spell but he is a repeat offender.
Umpire Chris Gaffney is also having a bad day. He has been struck down by the gastro bug which has gone through the Australians in the past week. Darren Lehmann, Jon Holland and most recently Mitch Marsh have been among those affected.
Two South African officials also woke up under a dark cloud and it will be interesting to see how that depressing issue plays out today.
A genuine, heartfelt apology for engaging in behaviour that ridicules Candice Warner would be a good start. The Australian camp is seething over the incident.
Marsh is back on the field today and was up early at Port Elizabeth beach.
The South Africans are on top in the match, resuming at 1-39 after dismissing Australia for 243 in 71.3 overs.
South African spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been slapped with a level-two charge for making physical contact with Steve Smith.
There will be a hearing after play on day two of the second Test in Port Elizabeth, with Rabada to miss the rest of the series unless the Proteas successfully have the charge downgraded.
Rabada brushed Smith’s shoulder during a spirited send-off on Friday, also screaming in the face of Australia’s captain.
KG Rabada has copped a Level 2 code of conduct violation. Hearing tonight. If sustained will miss the rest of the series. A disappointing turn, he is a brilliant young bowler who lit up the match yesterday.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 10, 2018
Umpires laid low
A gastro bug that has swept through the Australian side, forcing Mitch Marsh to be demoted in the batting line-up, has hit the officials.
The gastro bug has got the umpires. Chris Gaffney has gone down. Good news is Mitch Marsh looks a lot better.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 10, 2018
Rabada in the spotlight
Repeat offender Kagiso Rabada could miss the rest of the four-Test series between Australia and South Africa, having brushed Steve Smith’s shoulder during a screaming send-off in Port Elizabeth.
Proteas paceman Rabada, who has been booked for two send-offs in the past nine months, already has five demerit points on his disciplinary record. Three more points will trigger an automatic two-Test suspension.
Sounds like the ICC will move on the Rabada incident this morning in South Africa.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 10, 2018
Remains to be seen if they act against the two officials as well.
This series is, sadly, splashing about in the sewer.
Drama, on field and off
Cricket South Africa officials have openly taunted David Warner’s wife Candice by posing with fans wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks on the first day of the second Test.
The couple was terribly upset after play at the latest turn of events, which comes just days after another attack on the mother of two by a Proteas player.
Clive Eksteen, CSA’s head of commercial and marketing, and Altaaf Kazi, the organisation’s head of communications, were pictured smiling with their arms around each other as they stood next to three men in the masks.
It is a disgraceful new low for South African cricket. Read more here
Proteas paceman clashes with Steve Smith
Australia and South Africa were warned by the umpires to behave in the second Test, but the warning fell on deaf ears with the match referee sure to examine an incident that could see Kagiso Rabada miss the rest of the series.
Rabada tore the heart of the Australian innings and tore strips off Steve Smith when he dismissed the Australian batsman to trigger an incredible collapse. Read more here
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