Skippers talk nice as quick appeals
RIVAL skippers Steve Smith and Faf du Plessis broke bread and struck diplomatic tones yesterday, as Kagiso Rabada’s hearing started in Cape Town overnight.
Rabada’s attempt to clear his name and avoid a two- Test ban dragged on late into the night, with du Plessis and team manager Mohammed Moosajee expected to give evidence.
Independent commissioner Michael Heron is conducting proceedings via video conference from New Zealand.
Heron can then take up to 48 hours to settle on a decision. It means the saga could drag on until tomorrow, with the third Test starting a day later at Newlands.
Match referee Jeff Crowe found Rabada guilty of “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact” with Smith during the second Test.
Smith and du Plessis obviously have plenty of interest in the verdict, with the world’s top- ranked bowler currently banned from the rest of the four- Test series.
But they are both keen to draw a line under the saga, agreeing that sledging and spite had been overblown.
“It’s actually been a series played in reasonably good spirits,” Smith told fans while sitting next to du Plessis. “Obviously a couple of indiscretions here and there but the cricket has been exceptional.”
Du Plessis echoed Smith’s sentiment, having previously made it clear he has no issue with the tourists’ chirping or conduct.
“You have all these things in the media and it just adds to the competitiveness of the series,” du Plessis said. “As he ( Smith) said, on the field it hasn’t been like that.
“If you take 1000 overs of cricket that’s been played, there’s been like two of three balls of stuff.
“It’s just a standard series of South Africa against Australia. Good, competitive cricket.”
Rabada brushed the shoulder of Australia’s skipper during a sendoff that has triggered debate about the disciplinary system of the International Cricket Council.
The express paceman was given a two- Test suspension because of his bad record.
Australia are bracing for more aggression from the Proteas if Rabada is ruled out.
Morne Morkel and recent squad addition Duanne Olivier are in the mix to take Rabada’s place in the XI.