Proteas star Hashim Amla has described an Australia TV reporter’s attempts to interview captain Faf du Plessis at Adelaide airport on Monday as “provocative behaviour from reporters”, after team security prevented the journalist from speaking to Du Plessis.
Channel Nine News reporter Will Crouch pushed a microphone in Du Plessis’ path as the Proteas skipper emerged from the airport, with team doctor Mohammed Moosajee and security official Zunaid Wadee in tow.
A video has surfaced where Du Plessis, sporting dark sunglasses, is seen to be continuing to walk ahead without responding to Crouch’s questions, at which point Wadee steps in and keeps Crouch at arm’s length using his travel bag.
Crouch, though, tries to walk in another direction to try to get closer to Du Plessis as Moosajee is heard saying “Excuse me, excuse me, get out of the way please”.
Crouch was undeterred, and again tries to speak to Du Plessis, but Wadee and Moosajee both hold him back and away from the Proteas batsman.
At one point, Crouch is also seen pushing Moosajee in the back despite Wadee’s attempts to keep him away from Du Plessis. Wadee's intervention was deemed overly aggressive by some onlookers and by many on Australian social media this morning, with significant physical contact taking place.
The incident ends as everybody reaches the exit door, with Crouch ending up going into a glass panel as Wadee keeps pushing him away from Du Plessis.
“Disappointed.. such provocative behaviour from reporters.Let a man walk in peace.Ask with manners n courtesy and u prob will get a response,” Amla posted on Twitter afterwards.
JP Duminy added in response to Amla’s tweet: “Sad that this is what our tour has come to.”
And spin bowler Tabraiz Shamsi also expressed his unhappiness with the incident. “Absolutely disgraceful behaviour by the reporters at the airport this afternoon! #Pathetic”
Think this Proteas trainer has been watching too much NFL. Very aggressive pass-blocking as @WillCrouch9 tries to interview @faf1307 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/SlAf4GgHDW
— Nathan Stitt (@nathanjstitt) November 21, 2016
Channel Nine said on their website that Crouch had tried to speak to Du Plessis about “the ball-tampering controversy” after the Proteas captain was charged by the International Cricket Council last week for what has been dubbed “Lollygate” following an incident during the second Test against Australia in Hobart, which South Africa won by an innings and 80 runs.
The ICC said Du Plessis was 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.
“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 Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. Details of the hearing will be announced in due course”.
Channel Nine said that there was another incident involving Wadee and a different reporter, Corey Norris, tried to interview Du Plessis on Saturday. “Norris approached Du Plessis, but was confronted by Mr Wadee. The fiery exchange was captured on a GoPro, which shows the team’s security official attempting to stop Norris from approaching Du Plessis by placing his arm against the journalist’s neck,” the channel said on their website.
Amla and the rest of the Proteas team issued a statement in solidarity with Du Plessis last week, where the former captain said it was “a joke and ridiculous” that Du Plessis was being accused of ball-tampering for shining the ball with his saliva while sucking on a sweet at the same time.
Cricket South Africa said afterwards that they would be “providing the necessary support, including legal representation, to aid Mr Du Plessis to defend the charge made against him”.
CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “We have asked the ICC to consider the time needed for us to consult and appoint legal representation and make the necessary logistical arrangements when setting a date for the hearing. We are now waiting on the ICC to inform us of the date for the hearing.”
No date has been set as yet.