Johannesburg – South Africa’s Faf du Plessis was caught allegedly ball-tampering by television cameras during the second Test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Friday.
Closeups of slow-motion replays revealed DuPlessis rubbing the ball against the zip of his trouser pocket in an attempt to alter the condition of the ball.
The incident occured during the 30th over of Pakistan's second innings, with their score on 67 for three, requiring 418 to make South Africa bat again.
The umpires deemed Du Plessis's action to be in contravention the Laws of Cricket, Law 42 sub-section 3, concerning the match ball and changing its condition.
“It is unfair for anyone to rub the ball on the ground for any reason, to interfere with any of the seams or the surface of the ball, to use any implement, or to take any other action whatsoever which is likely to alter the condition of the ball,” according to the law.
At the end of the over, delivered by JP Duminy, Pakistan were awarded five penalty runs by the umpires and a new ball was selected before play could continue.
The law states: “If the umpires together agree that the deterioration in the condition of the ball is greater than is consistent with the use it has received, they shall consider that there has been a contravention of this Law.
“They shall (i) change the ball forthwith. It shall be for the umpires to decide on the replacement ball. It shall, in their opinion, have had wear comparable to that which the previous ball had received immediately prior to the contravention.
“Additionally the bowler’s end umpire shall, (ii) award 5
penalty runs to the batting side. (iii) inform the batsmen that the ball has been changed. (iv) inform the captain of the fielding side that the reason for the action was the unfair interference with the ball. (v) inform the captain of the batting side as soon as practicable of what has occurred.”
The law also indicated further action could be taken against South Africa and captain Graeme Smith as it states: “(vi) together with the other umpire report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the fielding side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain and team concerned.” – Sapa