Ball tampering controversy: Steyn, Lehmann, Hayden back Faf du Plessis
Melbourne: Top personalities from the cricketing world such as Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, Darren Lehmann and Mathew Hayden have come up in defence of South Africa’s stand-in Test captain Faf du Plessis, who has come under the scanner for an alleged ball-tampering incident.
Du Plessis, who is currently shouldering the responsibility of captaining the side in the absence of AB de Villiers, has been charged by International Cricket Council (ICC), after video evidence surfaced, bringing to light that the 32-year-old had used a “lollipop” to change the condition of the ball in the Hobart Test.
The Proteas captain has been charged under Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, according to which du Plessis has “changed the condition of the ball”.
However, a number of big-wigs from the world of cricket have come out in defence of du Plessis, saying that charges on du Plessis are too harsh.
Senior South Africa paceman Dale Steyn tweeted his opinion on issue, saying that performance, and not lollipops should be in focus.
Steyn later went on to clarify his stance, saying that he does not blame Cricket Australia for the charge on du Plessis. CA did not press charges against the Proteas captain.
Young Proteas pacer Kagiso Rabada also voiced his opinion on the issue, saying that it was just a means of reducing the blame on the Australians.
Former South Africa skipper Greame Smith also weighed-in on the issue, calling ICC a “puppet show”.
Former South Africa Test captain and senior batsman Hashim Amla, criticised the decision to charge du Plessis, calling it “a joke”.
“The reason everybody is gathered here is to stand together and show solidarity to what has been something that we thought was a sheer joke,” Amla was quoted as saying on Australian cricket news portal Cricket.com.au.
“Its not April, but the allegations against Faf was a really ridiculous thing. It’s a farce. Its basically a joke.”
It was not just the South Africans who showed their support for du Plessis. Former Australia opener Mathew Hayden and current Baggy Green coach Darren Lehmann also came out in support of du Plessis.
"I agree with Hashim. Speaks sense as always", Lehmann wrote on Facebook.
South Africa demolished Australia in the three-Test series, winning both of the first two matches in Perth and Hobart, respectively. The third Test will begin in Adelaide on November 24.
