AUS vs SA 2016: Steven Smith Backs Faf Du Plessis In Ball Tampering Row
Nov 24, 2016 at 12:06 AM
Australia captain Steven Smith has backed his South Africa counterpart Faf du Plessis, who has been charged with ball tampering, by saying that his team shines the ball in a similar manner that landed the Proteas stand-in skipper in trouble.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) fined du Plessis his entire match fee after a footage showed him shining the ball during the second Test in Hobart with a mint in his mouth. However, Smith claimed the step is taken by every team in the world to shine the ball.
As quoted on Cricket Australia’s website, he said:“Every team around the world shines the cricket ball.”
Even du Plessis is not ready to accept the allegations and has said:“I still completely disagree with that. I feel like I’ve done nothing wrong. It’s not like I was trying to cheat or anything.”
The incident initially went unnoticed by the umpires during the match and there were speculations that the apex body of the game had investigated the case only after being asked by the Australian team. However, du Plessis is convinced the Aussies would not do that since they do the same thing.
He said:“The Aussies won’t talk about it at all because they know it’s part of their team as well.(The controversy) has not been driven by the (Australia) cricketers at all. There’s been no comment whatsoever from them, in fact, it’s all been positive comments. I even read a comment from (Australia coach) Darren Lehmann supporting and backing me, which was really good to see.”
Smith also echoed du Plessis’ sentiments and said:”I have seen Faf’s comments in his press conference. And I make it very clear that we haven’t come out and said anything about Faf or about how he was shining the ball or anything like that.
“We along with every other team around the world shine the ball the same way.”
The South African star is now cleared to play in the final Test at Adelaide, starting November 24.