Faf’s faux pas raises questions about tampering law

FIRST we were treated to footage of Faf du Plessis using a finger to, it seemed, brush his teeth – and work on the ball – during the Hobart test.

Fine. But that finger had been taken from a mouth containing the incriminating evidence of what looked like a sweet. Not fine.

Then more video emerged, also taken during the Hobart test, of David Warner polishing the ball shortly after applying what looked like lip balm to his face.

Not that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had a problem with that.

“We have not seen any footage of David Warner using lipgloss to shine the ball,” a spokesman said.

“Secondly, as per 3.2.2.1 of the code [of conduct], there is a time limit to lay a charge which runs from the commission of the offence.

“It might also be worth noting that no report was laid by any of the other possible reportees under the code.”

The problem with that is that Du Plessis was not nailed by the match officials or a complaint from the Australians.

All it took to get him into trouble was the footage being aired by Fox Sports.

How Warner’s apparently similar indiscretion, which was shown by the same cameras covering the same match, has not become part of the media frenzy is a question that has yet to be answered.

And there is more in the shape of images of something – chewing gum? Sugar free? – in Virat Kohli’s mouth as he wet his fingers and slapped them onto the ball.

If you are wondering whether that means ball-tampering, even though it is illegal, is common in cricket, Russell Domingo can put you out of your misery.

“Absolutely,” Domingo said yesterday.

“You see it daily with, I suppose, those types of instances taking place in the field.”

In that case, should the International Cricket Council (ICC) consider bringing the practice in from the cold and make it legal? Or stamp it out completely?

“They might need to relook at that should they feel it’s not in the spirit of the game,” Domingo said.

And did South Africa, who have been accused or convicted of ball-tampering three times since 2012, feel under greater scrutiny than other teams?

“I suppose there are other teams that have maybe done similar things and we’ve maybe looked at one or two instances that they have done those things, and those things haven’t been highlighted,” Domingo said.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve been targeted but we’ve definitely been highlighted, it’s definitely been brought to the attention of the world, it’s definitely been brought to the attention of the ICC and it’s definitely been brought to our attention.”

Unsurprisingly, Warner took a different tack at another of yesterday’s stream of press conferences: “The rules are in place for a reason– if you’re not going to use them why bother having them?

“That’s the fortunate thing these days. They’ve got their rules and they’ll stand by these decisions. I think that’s a good thing,” he said.

SOUTH African coach Russell Domingo could be forgiven for not having his mind on cricket in Adelaide yesterday, even though his team are one win away from history.

Victory in the third test would make South Africa the first side to inflict a 3-0 drubbing on Australia in their own back yard. And that in the South Africans’ inaugural pink-ball, day/night test.

But Domingo’s attention was on what spectators will have to shell out to curb hunger and quell thirst during their visit to Adelaide Oval.

“I’ve heard a beer will cost you A$9.20 and I know there’s a bit of controversy about the pies’ prices [of A$5.60] as well,” Domingo said.

That’s R96.10 for a beer and R58.50 for a pie -- a bit steep, even for Aussies who are used to paying the equivalent of R36 and more for an espresso.

“There’s all sorts of stuff happening around this test match at the moment,” Domingo said.

“Forget about Faf -- those pies are damn expensive.”

Ah, Faf. As in Du Plessis, who yesterday was damned as a ball-tamperer for the second time in four years.

Domingo spoke before that was decided, and he knew he had to tread softly down every avenue.

For instance, were the South Africans happy to play the match under day/night conditions considering their stated opposition to that idea when it was mooted in April?

“I think there was reluctance from both sides to start with. And now we’re playing. That’s the bottom line,” Domingo said.

“I’m just a cricket coach – I’m not making those decisions. I’m excited about it, I know our players can’t wait.

“We’ve got a great opportunity to beat Australia 3-0 at home. That’s what our focus is on.

“We’re not too concerned about whether it’s pink, white or red – we just want to play the test match.”