JOHANNESBURG - Australia bowler Pat Cummins could face disciplinary action from the match referee Andy Pycroft after stepping on the ball during the first day’s play in the third Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on Thursday.
Television replays showed Cummins stepping on the ball which had come to rest on the edge of the pitch after his delivery had been defended by South Africa opener Dean Elgar in the 53rd over of the innings, shortly before the tea interval.
Whether his actions were intentional or not, will be a matter of debate for the match officials.
The incident is the latest instalment in a series that has been marred by ‘off-the-ball’ issues, first with an off-field spat on a staircase between Australian David Warner and SA wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock during the first Test in Durban.
In the second Test in Port Elizabeth, Kagiso Rabada received three-demerit points and a two-match ban for his shoulder nudge on Australia captain Steve Smith. Rabada later appealed his ban, and was successful which cleared him to play in the third Test. He still, however, received one demerit point for the incident.
#SAvAUS Pat Cummins could be in trouble here. Stands on the ball "accidentally on purpose" as @GraemeSmith49 points out pic.twitter.com/FDLa6joXG8
— Michael Sherman (@Golfhackno1) March 22, 2018