The Australian cricket team have come out in support of Proteas captain Faf du Plessis after he was found guilty of ball tampering, with Aussie skipper Steve Smith saying his side shine the ball the same way.
Du Plessis on Tuesday was found guilty of ball tampering for using a sweet to help shine the ball during the second Test in Hobart last week. He was fined 100 percent of his match fee from the match but was cleared to play in the third Test.
The investigation by the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been widely criticised, and even South Africa’s opponents share the same sentiment.
“Every team around the world shines the cricket ball,” Smith 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.”
South Africa have already won the series, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead into the final day-night Test starting in Adelaide on Thursday.
With the players’ backing on both sides, Du Plessis was confident he would not be sledged about it on the field.
“The Aussies won’t talk about it at all because they know it’s part of their team as well,” Du Plessis said.
“(The controversy) has not been driven by the (Australian) 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 Darren Lehmann supporting and backing me, which was really good to see.” – African News Agency (ANA)
