South Africa captain Faf du Plessis denies cheating after ball tampering verdict
The skipper was found guilty after footage emerged from the second test in Hobart that showed him applying saliva to the ball with a mint in his mouth
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis expressed disappointment on Wednesday that his sanction for ball tampering had taken the “shine” off the Proteas’ series-winning triumph in Australia and denied he had intended to cheat.
Du Plessis was found guilty of ball tampering on Tuesday after footage emerged from the second test in Hobart that showed him applying saliva to the ball with a mint in his mouth.
Du Plessis, who was also sanctioned for ball tampering in 2013, was fined his entire match fee but cleared to play in the third and final test in Adelaide, which starts on Thursday.
“As you know yesterday was the hearing ... I still completely disagree with [the verdict],” Du Plessis said.
“I felt like I’ve done nothing wrong. It’s not like I was trying to cheat or anything, I was shining the ball. It’s something that all cricketers do.
“Our mouths are always full of sugar, I think it’s such a grey area in the laws of cricket.
Watch: South Africa captain Faf du Plessis
“I suppose the thing that’s most disappointed us is that we’ve dominated and played exceptionally well. That’s taken all the shine away from that, excuse the pun.”
Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said he had asked Du Plessis to reserve his decision as to whether to appeal the charge pending further information.
“There are also other issues relating to fairness and interpretation of the rules,” Lorgat said.
“Test match cricket is a competitive sport at the highest level. Integrity and consistent application of the rules are important for everyone.”
