De Villiers: South Africa not guilty of ball tampering

"I know Faf very well," his former schoolmate told reporters.

"He is the last man on the field who will try anything like that," De Villiers insisted despite television pictures showing Du Plessis appearing to rub the ball on the zipper of his trouser pocket.

De Villiers said Du Plessis had been designated to look after the condition of the ball throughout the Pakistan innings.

"It is part of his responsibility to shine the ball, in order to get it swing, and look after it. It is not an easy job and I thought he did a very good job of it," De Villiers added.

But the umpires thought differently as South African captain Graeme Smith and Du Plessis were called over for a discussion with umpires Ian Gould and Rod Tucker.

The ball was then replaced from a box carried on to the pitch by fourth umpire Shozab Raza after which Gould signalled a five run-penalty, effectively accusing the top-ranked test side of unnaturally trying to alter the state of the ball.

"I don't even know where the message came from. There were no warnings, no talk of it. I still don't know the facts," said De Villiers.

The International Cricket Council have since confirmed the penalty, opening up the possibility that fines and possible suspension could be handed out.

Err AB, you knowing him well doesn't negate the possibility that he tampered the ball.
And I lol'd at "He did a very good job of it" AB, you cheeky git.

I haven't seen any footage from the Test series between Pakistan and South Africa. I've only seen the score updates on Sky Sports but there was no news on this ball tampering incident.


I think ball tampering is the norm, I wouldn't be surprised if every team is doing it.

I am surprised Faf got away so lightly.


Apparently the PCB has sought clarification from the ICC on the apparent inconsistent punishment, citing Afridi's two match ban for biting the ball.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/v...82725.html

Haha, well in your face AB! Think twice about before defending your pals yo.

@Mail, how's that comparable? Here read Boon's remarks:

Quote:The match referee David Boon said that du Plessis' actions warranted the charge being brought against him, but also said that he was satisfied that it "was not part of a deliberate and/or prolonged attempt to unfairly manipulate the condition of the ball."

Biting the hell out of the ball (and he is a repeat offender, remember pitch tampering? I don't know what penalty he got for that)
in front of cameras takes some level of guts, because he wasn't even ashamed of it.

Unless you're saying that Afridi should've pleaded on grounds of being mentally retarded and got away with lighter punishment, which would be a much more persuasive argument.