South Africa penalised for ball tampering

3827 days ago

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South Africa penalised for ball tampering

South Africa were penalised five runs for ball tampering and the team was the subject of a hearing after play on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai.

The ICC confirmed that the penalty and the change of ball after 30 overs was due to ball tampering. "As per 42.1 of the ICC playing conditions, the umpires replaced the ball and fined South Africa team five penalty runs for ball tampering," an ICC spokesperson said.

The incident took place at the start of the 31st over of Pakistan’s innings, two overs after tea, when umpires Ian Gould and Rod Tucker called South African captain Graeme Smith for a chat. The fourth umpire, Shozab Raza, brought a box of balls onto the field and a new one was selected for use.

No individual player has been charged yet but television images showed Faf du Plessis rubbing the ball allegedly on the zipper of his trouser pocket. The umpires will decide whether to lay a charge at the close of play and that will determine if and when a hearing will take place.

South Africa were well in control of the Test, having taken a commanding 418-run first-innings lead, when the incident occurred.