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South African skipper Faf Du Plessis was fined 100% of his match fee for the ball tampering incident in the 2nd test against Australia in Hobart. He was found guilty of ball tampering under clause 2.2.9 of ICC’s code of conduct. But Du Plessis didn’t receive any suspension & will face Australia in Adelaide which is South Africa’s first ever Day-Night test.
The hearing went on more than 3 hours where ICC match referee Andy Pycroft heard the accusations which were laid by ICC chief executive David Richardson. Andy Pycroft heard from both the parties & evidence was given to him by the on field umpires & Marylebone Cricket Club’s Head John Stephenson. The on field umpires told that they had no idea about the incident during the game. They added that if they had known it that time, they would have taken steps immediately. After seeing all the evidences protea’s stand-in captain was found guilty.
The video footage shows, artificial substances being used to shine the ball. Faf was using saliva to shine the ball, with a mint in his mouth. According to the law 42.3 of the cricket’s laws, no artificial substances can be used to shine the ball only except saliva and sweat.
Head of the MCC, John Stephenson has confirmed the view of the MCC & they believe, artificial substance was certainly used which was clearly seen from the TV footage.
3 demerit points were added to the disciplinary record of Faf. Addition of 4 or more demerit points in the 24 month of period means the points will be converted into the suspension points. Two suspension points will see the cricketer having one match suspension in Test or two match suspension in ODI or two match suspension in T20I. The suspension will be applied for the cricketer in any 1 format whichever comes first.
Du Plessis has 48 hours time to appeal against the result. CSA has confirmed that Faf will appeal against the verdict. Protea Skipper believes that he is not guilty. His appeal could be resulted in increasing, decreasing or amending the sanction.
But this is not the first time that the 32 year old cricketer was involved in a ball tampering incident. The Pretoria born cricketer breached the ICC’s code of conduct for the first time in 2013 against Pakistan. On that occasion, he rubbed the ball on the zipper of a trouser pocket.
At this moment Du Plessis’ team is flying high. After winning ODI series 5-0 to whitewash Australia in Africa’s home soil, they have also secured the unassailable lead of 2-0 in the ongoing test series against Australia in their own home soil. But the protea captain is now under the limelight for his ball tampering incident.
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