Faf du Plessis caught giving sticky treatment to the ball

Faf du Plessis land in a bit of problem after footage of South African captain shining the ball with a lolly in his mouth. The video shows Du Plessis licking his finger before rubbing the Kookaburra and repeating the act at least two more times. The act has been used in English county cricket, however, Law 42.3 of the MCC cricket laws state that a fielder may polish a ball, “provided that no artificial substance is used”. It’s understood Cricket Australia has not lodged an official complaint and has no intention to.

Former England captain Marcus Trescothick in 2009 admitted he used mints to help produce saliva which kept the ball newer for a longer period of time during the 2005 series. No action was taken against the English team, however, the ICC reiterated law 42.3 when Trescothick made the admission but said they would not ban players sucking on mints.

Interestingly, Trescothick noted in his autobiography that the tactic did not cause as much of an effect on Kookaburra balls as they did the English dukes. Du Plessis was fined by the ICC for rubbing the ball on a trouser zipper during a 2013 Test against Pakistan.

Match referee David Boon said at the time he was “satisfied that this was not part of a deliberate and/or prolonged attempt to unfairly manipulate the condition of the ball”.

Du Plessis was cautioned by both umpires at the WACA earlier this month during the first Test regarding his fielders bouncing their returns to the keeper – a tactic intended to rough up one side of the ball and achieve reverse-swing.

Du Plessis said last week that issue had been “blown out of proportion”.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann admitted his side struggled to face the swinging ball after their first innings total of 85 in Hobart, while they were also routed for 161 in the second innings to meekly lose by an innings and 80 runs and concede the series.

In 2014, Australian opener David Warner was fined 15 per cent of his match fee after he accused South African AB de Villiers of ball tampering during the second Test in Port Elizabeth.

Watch the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqz8PMa-BFg