South Africa’s stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis faces a one Test suspension after being charged by the International Cricket Council on Friday over an alleged ball-tampering offence.
“Faf du Plessis has been charged for breaching Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct after television footage appeared to show him applying an artificial substance to the ball during the fourth day’s play in the second Test in Hobart, which concluded on Tuesday,” said a press release from the ICC.
The South African captain has pleaded not guilty to the charge and the matter will now be taken up by Andy Pycroft in the ICC’s Elite Panel of Match Referees. A date for the hearing has still not been set.
Television footage showed the 32-year-old chewing mint and then using his saliva to shine the ball during Australia’s second innings in the second Test in Hobart. Australia were bowled out for 161 in the innings giving South Africa a massive victory.