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South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis has been charged by the ICC after footage appeared to show him using a mint to help shine the ball in the second innings of the Proteas’ commanding win over Australia during the second Test in Hobart.
Du Plessis has been charged with breaching Article 2.2.9 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which relates to changing the condition of the match ball in a way which is contrary to the laws of the game.
Under the laws, it is illegal to use an artificial substance to help shine the ball. There had been some question as to whether a mint or lolly was included as an artificial substance, but following ICC chief executive David Richardson’s decision to lay the charge on du Plessis, it would seem such a tactic is, in fact, in breach of the laws of the game.
Du Plessis has pleaded not guilty to the charge, meaning the matter will be put to a hearing in front of Andy Pycroft, who sits on the ICC’s panel of elite referees. The details of the hearing, including its date and time, are yet to be announced.
If found guilty, du Plessis faces a fine of between 50 and 100 per cent of his match fee from the Hobart Test, as well as up to two suspension points and three to four demerit points.
Two suspension points rule a player out for one Test or two ODIs, meaning, if found guilty, du Plessis is staring down the barrel of being rubbed out of the third Test against Australia in Adelaide.
Such a ruling would mean the Proteas would be down to their third-choice captain for the match, with du Plessis currently filling in for full-time skipper AB de Villiers.
This is not the first occasion du Plessis has earned the ire of the ICC for matters relating to ball tampering. Back in 2013, he was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for rubbing the ball on the zipper of his pocket during a Test match against Pakistan.
The third Test between Australia and South Africa begins next Thursday, November 24, at the Adelaide Oval.
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