Shivraj
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A footage emerged on Wednesday (November 16) which revealed the South Africa stand-in-skipper Faf du Plessis applying saliva to the ball with what is presumably believed to be a lolly in his mouth. International Cricket Council (ICC) is investigating the matter and has a stipulated five days to clear the air on the same.
Surprisingly, the incident wasn't reported by the match officials or Cricket Australia. ICC was made aware of the allegations via media footage, but is yet to come to a conclusion. "The ICC has been alerted to the footage and is currently reviewing the incident from the perspective of it being a possible breach of the ICC Code of Conduct," an ICC spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Apparently, it was during the 54th over of the second innings of Australia in Hobart which indicated du Plessis licking his finger with a white lolly in his mouth before shining the ball. Speaking about the concerns raised, South African media manager Lerato Malekutu said: "At this stage, it is an ICC matter and they have not raised any concerns with us."
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, has allegedly criticised the Proteas for hurling the ball onto the pitch in a bid to generate more reverse swing as the ball roughs up on one side. Reacting to the same, du Plessis stated that the ball had behaved the same for both sides and further added that "The issue had been blown out of proportion."
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). The law of 42.3 of the MCC cricket laws states that: Any fielder may - "Polish the ball provided that no artificial substance is used and that such polishing wastes no time."
South Africa have already won the series with a game to go. The Day-Night Test in Adelaide is scheduled to start next Thursday (24 November). A statement from ICC is expected to come on or before Sunday (20 November). Both Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa are yet to make any official statement on the issue.
ICC scrutinising Du Plessis footage, verdict on Sunday - Cricbuzz
Surprisingly, the incident wasn't reported by the match officials or Cricket Australia. ICC was made aware of the allegations via media footage, but is yet to come to a conclusion. "The ICC has been alerted to the footage and is currently reviewing the incident from the perspective of it being a possible breach of the ICC Code of Conduct," an ICC spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Apparently, it was during the 54th over of the second innings of Australia in Hobart which indicated du Plessis licking his finger with a white lolly in his mouth before shining the ball. Speaking about the concerns raised, South African media manager Lerato Malekutu said: "At this stage, it is an ICC matter and they have not raised any concerns with us."
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, has allegedly criticised the Proteas for hurling the ball onto the pitch in a bid to generate more reverse swing as the ball roughs up on one side. Reacting to the same, du Plessis stated that the ball had behaved the same for both sides and further added that "The issue had been blown out of proportion."
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). The law of 42.3 of the MCC cricket laws states that: Any fielder may - "Polish the ball provided that no artificial substance is used and that such polishing wastes no time."
South Africa have already won the series with a game to go. The Day-Night Test in Adelaide is scheduled to start next Thursday (24 November). A statement from ICC is expected to come on or before Sunday (20 November). Both Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa are yet to make any official statement on the issue.
ICC scrutinising Du Plessis footage, verdict on Sunday - Cricbuzz
