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Forget ball tampering, Australia ‘soft’: Steyn

Injured South African quick Dale Steyn has come out swinging over the “mintgate” controversy, labelling Australia “soft” ahead next week’s third Test in Adelaide.

And young Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada also could not resist a social media bumper after mint-chomping captain Faf du Plessis was charged with ball tampering.

“Beaten with the bat. Beaten with the ball. Beaten in the field. Mentally stronger,” Steyn, who has a fractured shoulder, posted on Twitter.

“Here’s a idea, Let’s blame it on a lollipop?? #soft.”

Steyn later backtracked, Tweeting:  “Just so we clear, I’m not blaming the aussies. But I won’t let a fantastic series win be tarnished by some lollipop fabrication. 3-0 mission.”

Rabada didn’t make any apologies after his social media spray.

“Excuse – Seek to lessen the blame attaching to ( a fault or offence ); try to justify. #responsibility lack there of..,” he tweeted.

Rabid took 3/37 as the Proteas bowled out a Victoria XI for 258 in their 50-over pink ball warm-up match at the MCG on Saturday.

Du Plessis will plead not guilty to charges of ball tampering handed down by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Du Plessis received the level-two charge on Friday shortly before team-mates all congregated at a media conference to support the captain, who was filmed shining the ball with saliva while also having a lolly in his mouth.

A hearing will be scheduled for du Plessis to defend the charge, with the stand-in skipper facing a 50 to 100 per cent loss of his match fee, or potentially a one-Test or two-ODI ban. Australia and South Africa will meet in the day-night Third Test in Adelaide starting Thursday.

Under cricket rules, a player may shine the ball provided no artificial substance is used.

https://twitter.com/rdhinds/status/799526316840198144

The South African squad stood behind star batsman Hashim Amla as they fronted the media at the MCG on Friday.

“The reason everyone is here is to stand together, really, and to show solidarity to something … we thought was actually a joke,” Amla said.

“It’s not April, but the allegation against Faf was … a really ridiculous thing.

“As a team, we’re standing strong, we’ve done nothing wrong. It’s basically a joke.”

It was then put to Amla that his captain was under investigation over the incident.

“Whether it is or not, we’ve done nothing wrong and I know Faf has done absolutely nothing wrong,” he said.

“I chew bubble gum while I’m on the field – you want me to brush my teeth after lunch?

“We’re standing out on the field for two hours … there was no malicious intent whatsoever.”

As officials tried to change the topic, Amla and some journalists had a testy exchange about the subject.

“Is it proven or what? Because that’s something that is really new to us,” Amla said.

“I’ve had sweets in my mouth, bubblegum in my mouth, butong, nuts – I’m not sure what the big deal is.

“To a lot of people, it’s sounding more like sour sweets.”

Du Plessis, who is filling in for injured captain AB De Villiers, was also fined by the ICC for rubbing the ball on a trouser zipper during a 2013 Test against Pakistan, something he was sledged about during a heated 2014 Test series between Australia and South Africa.

WATCH THE HOBART INCIDENT BELOW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx0fmTHHy4o

The ICC statement:

“South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been charged for breaching Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct after television footage appeared to show him applying an artificial substance to the ball during the fourth day’s play in the second Test in Hobart, which concluded on Tuesday.

“The charge relates to changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 and has been laid by the ICC Chief Executive David Richardson who has exercised his right to do so according to Article 3.1.3 of the Code.

“Du Plessis has pleaded not guilty to the charge and, as such, the matter will now be heard by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. Details of the hearing will be announced in due course.

“The alleged incident happened on Tuesday morning when TV footage appeared to show du Plessis applying saliva and residue from a mint or sweet, an artificial substance, to the ball in an attempt to change its condition.

 “All level 2 breaches carry an imposition of a fine between 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the applicable match fee and/or up to two suspension points, and three or four demerit points.”
– with ABC/AAP
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