Australian cricket ball tampering

World cricket's governing body will not look into claims Australia players tampered with the ball during their to Ashes win over England in the winter.

AUSTRALIKS Cameron Bancroft tampered with the bell during their recent Test defeat In South Africa. but amain StmeSmith says it was a one-oft. Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan said he was 'pretty sure' Auctr al la mutt doing similar during the Attie. cones HOWrief . the tine limit the ICC has for reporting any such offence has passed. The International Cricket Coun• cascede olconduct says complaints for offences such as ballgempaing must be lodged 'within di hours of the close of the day's play. or prktr to the dad of the following day's play or the start of the next relevant International match, whichever is the sooner". If the complaint is lodged 'by the CEO of either of the two national cricket federations' it must be made ion later than ati hours after the dose of the day's play. Though the KC will not look into the Ashes claims, it is eepected to discuss events in Cape Town at its next board meeting at the end of Apnl. What has happened so far? On day three of the third Test in Cape Town, television footage showed Bancroft take what he said was ye Now tape out of his trouser pocket before rubbing the ball. He inter said he had wed 'some cape and 'granules from the rough patches on the wickeein an attempt to change the condition of the ball. Smith said after the day's play the teams adenhip group' had devised the plan as 'a way to get an advantage'. He has been banned or one Test by the KC while Bancroft has been Toed 75% of has match fee and got three demerit points. Footage has since emerged that It was claimed showed Bancroft putting sugar in his pocket during the Ashes but this Is thought to be chewing gum. It is understood Australia keep have chewing gum and nuts in their dressing room but keep them in ton* with spoons for hygiene reasons. to prevent the spread of any viruses. However, Vaughan has also high-lighted the amount of ape certain AUSS/6110 players wore on their fin gers during the series. which cold be used to affect the condition of the ball. Vaughan, who captained England to an Ashes series victory in mos. told BBC Radios lives Toilers and Vaughan Show: carrot think that has been come up with over lunch in Cape Toms. I look at the amount of tape some of the fielders have worn. particu-larly during the Ashes series at mid-on and and-off. You don't have to name names, they know who they are am pretty sure it was going on throughout the Ashes series but it was not the reason England lost to. They still would have lost the soles."