The Proteas are not concerned with the video footage showing captain Faf du Plessis applying saliva to the ball with a sweet in his mouth during the second Test here at the Bellerive Oval.
During the 54th over, with Australia 150/5, the local broadcaster showed du Plessis – with a round, white sweet on his tongue – licking his finger before rubbing the ball and repeating the act at least two more times.
The International Cricket Council confirmed on Wednesday that they are reviewing the footage, but have yet to reach 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 told Independent Media from Dubai.
Proteas team media manager Lerato Malekutu has therefore stated that at this stage is an "ICC matter and they have not raised any concerns with us".
Neither umpire Aleem Dar of Pakistan or England’s Richard Kettleborough who were on duty at Bellerive Oval reported Du Plessis. It is believed Cricket Australia has also not lodged an official complaint and has no intention to.
The Laws of Cricket states that a fielder may polish the ball "provided that no artificial substance is used". Former England captain Marcus Trescothick, though, admitted in 2009 he used mints to help produce saliva which kept the ball newer for longer periods during the 2005 series against Australia.
The ICC, though, did not issue a ban on players fielding with sweets after Trescothick’s admission.
Under the ICC Code of Conduct, the ICC has five days from the close of play on Tuesday to decide if a charge is to be laid.
Independent Media