Du Plessis to appeal ICC fine

“After hearing representations from both parties and evidence from the umpires in the second Test as well as Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Head of Cricket John Stephenson, Mr. Pycroft found Mr. du Plessis guilty of the offence”, a ICC media release stated.

In addition to being stripped of his match fees, he has also been handed three demerit points, but escaped harsher punishments such as being suspended from the next Test.

The Proteas management complained on Monday that Du Plessis had been subject to “harassment” by Australian media after a TV reporter was involved in a physical confrontation with a team security guard at Adelaide Airport. ‘I feel like I’ve done nothing wrong. Saying scratching or picking the seam is “wrong” but that “everyone shines”.

‘I just think it’s opened up a can of worms going forward.

“Something like this needed to happen to bring some awareness to it”. He avoided a match ban, though, allowing him to lead South Africa as it pursues a 3-0 sweep against the Australians in Adelaide starting Thursday.

Security manager Zunaid Wadee pushed away the reporter who had tried to force his way into the group of players to speak to du Plessis.

He added: “Obviously the ICC has taken a stance against me, to use me as a scapegoat now”. I know of people who carry lip-ice or gum in their pocket and shine the cricket ball.

“I was shining the cricket ball and every single team I have played in does the same thing”.

As media professionals, we are all aware of the protocols surrounding teams and CSA made quite clear last week following the announcement that Du Plessis had officially been charged, that no further comment would be issued on the matter.

The charge on Du Plessis has led an outcry from the former South Africa players, including Graeme Smith, who tweeted: “I can not believe the puppet show the @ICC has become, ball tampering allegations are a joke”, and Dale Steyn, who tweeted: “Beaten with the bat”.

Faf Du Plessis has received little sympathy from the ICC.

“I just ask for everyone to be treated the same way”, he said.

Cricket South Africa have stood by their captain, who is deputising for the injured AB De Villiers, and will await the written findings of Pycroft before deciding whether to appeal the verdict. They are angry they have been called out for a practice they feel widely occurs in global cricket.