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At the conclusion of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) hearing into the ball-tampering issue concerning Faf du Plessis, the South Africa skipper was fined 100 percent of his match fee after he was found to be in breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. Du Plessis, however, escaped suspension and will lead the visitors in the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide starting on November 24.
Andy Pycroft, the ICC match referee, heard the charges, laid by ICC chief executive David Richardson, during the hearing on Tuesday (November 22), which went on for more than three hours.
"After hearing representations from both parties and evidence from the umpires in the second Test as well as Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Head of Cricket John Stephenson, Mr. Pycroft found Mr. du Plessis guilty of the offence," a ICC media release stated.
"The decision was based on the evidence given from the umpires, who confirmed that had they seen the incident they would have taken action immediately, and from Mr. Stephenson, who confirmed the view of MCC that the television footage showed an artificial substance being transferred to the ball.
"In summing up his decision Mr. Pycroft referred to his role as requiring him to make a determination based on the ICC Code of Conduct, the Laws of Cricket and, in particular, the preamble to the Laws of Cricket and the role of the umpires as the sole judges of fair and unfair play," the release added.
Du Plessis also received three demerit points for his offence. Should he reach four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they will be converted into suspension points. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first.
According to the ICC, the match referee has 48 hours to announce his decision in writing, with reasons. Du Plessis can exercise his right to appeal against ICC's ruling, which must be done within 48 hours of receipt of the written decision of the match referee.
After the Hobart Test, a television footage emerged revealing du Plessis applying saliva to the ball with what is believed to be a lolly in his mouth. It was during the 54th over of the second innings of Australia in Hobart when the incident happened. According to law 42.3 of The Laws of Cricket, no artificial substance except sweat and saliva can be applied on the ball to shine it.
Du Plessis had been levied with a level 2 offence by the ICC, for 'changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3'. The skipper subsequently pleaded not guilty to the charge. As per the ICC Code of Conduct, "all level 2 breaches carry an imposition of a fine between 50 percent to 100 percent of the applicable match fee and/or up to two suspension points, and three or four demerit points."
In the wake of the allegation, the South African players came to the defence of their skipper, asserting that du Plessis wasn't in the wrong.The issue descended into further chaos when video clips revealed a Channel 9 reporter and South Africa's support staff and security indulging in some pushing and shoving as the reporter tried to get du Plessis to talk at the airport.
This is not the first time that du Plessis has come under the scanner. Australia's paceman Josh Hazlewood, before the start of the Hobart Test, had allegedly criticised the Proteas for hurling the ball onto the pitch in a bid to generate more reverse swing. The 32-year old, faced similar allegations in the past where, once, he was fined 50 percent of his match fee for polishing the ball around the zipper of his trouser during a Test against Pakistan in Dubai in 2013.
Du Plessis fined 100 % of match fee but escapes suspension - Cricbuzz
Andy Pycroft, the ICC match referee, heard the charges, laid by ICC chief executive David Richardson, during the hearing on Tuesday (November 22), which went on for more than three hours.
"After hearing representations from both parties and evidence from the umpires in the second Test as well as Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Head of Cricket John Stephenson, Mr. Pycroft found Mr. du Plessis guilty of the offence," a ICC media release stated.
"The decision was based on the evidence given from the umpires, who confirmed that had they seen the incident they would have taken action immediately, and from Mr. Stephenson, who confirmed the view of MCC that the television footage showed an artificial substance being transferred to the ball.
"In summing up his decision Mr. Pycroft referred to his role as requiring him to make a determination based on the ICC Code of Conduct, the Laws of Cricket and, in particular, the preamble to the Laws of Cricket and the role of the umpires as the sole judges of fair and unfair play," the release added.
Du Plessis also received three demerit points for his offence. Should he reach four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they will be converted into suspension points. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first.
According to the ICC, the match referee has 48 hours to announce his decision in writing, with reasons. Du Plessis can exercise his right to appeal against ICC's ruling, which must be done within 48 hours of receipt of the written decision of the match referee.
After the Hobart Test, a television footage emerged revealing du Plessis applying saliva to the ball with what is believed to be a lolly in his mouth. It was during the 54th over of the second innings of Australia in Hobart when the incident happened. According to law 42.3 of The Laws of Cricket, no artificial substance except sweat and saliva can be applied on the ball to shine it.
Du Plessis had been levied with a level 2 offence by the ICC, for 'changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3'. The skipper subsequently pleaded not guilty to the charge. As per the ICC Code of Conduct, "all level 2 breaches carry an imposition of a fine between 50 percent to 100 percent of the applicable match fee and/or up to two suspension points, and three or four demerit points."
In the wake of the allegation, the South African players came to the defence of their skipper, asserting that du Plessis wasn't in the wrong.The issue descended into further chaos when video clips revealed a Channel 9 reporter and South Africa's support staff and security indulging in some pushing and shoving as the reporter tried to get du Plessis to talk at the airport.
This is not the first time that du Plessis has come under the scanner. Australia's paceman Josh Hazlewood, before the start of the Hobart Test, had allegedly criticised the Proteas for hurling the ball onto the pitch in a bid to generate more reverse swing. The 32-year old, faced similar allegations in the past where, once, he was fined 50 percent of his match fee for polishing the ball around the zipper of his trouser during a Test against Pakistan in Dubai in 2013.
Du Plessis fined 100 % of match fee but escapes suspension - Cricbuzz
