AB De Villiers angry at fresh ‘ball-tampering’ row in ODI vs England | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

AB De Villiers angry at fresh ‘ball-tampering’ row in ODI vs England

Southampton | ByAgence France-Presse
May 28, 2017 12:43 PM IST

The issue of ball-tampering is particularly emotive for South Africa cricket team after Test skipper Faf du Plessis was fined his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in November for shining the ball using saliva generated by sucking on a mint during their second Test win vs Australia cricket team. The latest row happened during the 2nd ODI vs England cricket team in the three-match series (a warm-up of sorts for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017)

South Africa captain AB de Villiers insisted his side had done nothing wrong after they found themselves caught up in a fresh ball-tampering row on Saturday as they lost their one-day international series against England.

South Africa cricket team's AB de Villiers (centre) celebrates with teammate Kagiso Rabada after taking the wicket of England's Jason Roy during the 2nd ODI vs England cricket team at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, on Saturday. England beat SA to seal the three-match series with the third ODI to be played on Monday. England begin their ICC Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh cricket team on June 1 and SA play Sri Lanka cricket team in their CT opener on March 3.(AP)
South Africa cricket team's AB de Villiers (centre) celebrates with teammate Kagiso Rabada after taking the wicket of England's Jason Roy during the 2nd ODI vs England cricket team at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, on Saturday. England beat SA to seal the three-match series with the third ODI to be played on Monday. England begin their ICC Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh cricket team on June 1 and SA play Sri Lanka cricket team in their CT opener on March 3.(AP)

The hosts somehow managed to win by two runs at Southampton to go 2-0 up when it seemed South Africa were on the brink of levelling matters ahead of Monday’s third and final ODI at Lord’s.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

As if that was not bad enough for the tourists, de Villiers thought he might be accused of ball-tampering during England’s innings

After the 33rd over, it appeared he was trying to get the ball changed.

But de Villiers later revealed he was in fact insisting to umpires Chris Gaffaney and Rob Bailey that the Proteas were not responsible for illegally altering its condition.

The vexed issue of ball-tampering is particularly emotive for South Africa given that Test skipper Faf du Plessis was fined his match fee by the International Cricket Council in November for shining the ball using saliva generated by sucking on a mint during the Proteas’s second Test win over Australia in Hobart.

On Saturday, de Villiers felt his side risked being accused once again, although he added the fact the umpires did not in the end change the ball was proof of the Proteas’ innocence.

Asked at a post-match news conference if he felt he was being held responsible, de Villiers replied: “Yes, I did.”

He added: “The umpires felt the condition of the ball changed, in a way making me feel we were responsible as a team.

“I was quite upset about that ... (but) it’s done and dusted now. Nothing happened, there were no fines given or anything like that.”

- ‘Upset’ -

Reflecting on his conversation with the officials, de Villiers said: “I expressed I was quite upset about it.

“I told the umpires we had nothing to do with the condition of the ball ... no further steps were taken ... and we move on.

“Generally there is a warning or a fine, but none of that happened. That tells me they realised we were innocent in this case.

“I honestly think it was just a bad ball today ... which happens sometimes, the leather comes off sometimes.

“Unfortunately, the umpires didn’t agree with that.”

De Villiers’s mood would not have been improved by what happened late in the game.

South Africa needed just 10 runs from the last 10 balls to level things up at 1-1.

But they finished on 328 for five in reply to England’s 330 for six as David Miller (71 not out) and Chris Morris just fell short after Quinton de Kock (98) and de Villiers (52) had set up the chase.

Containing bowling from England pacemen Jake Ball and Mark Wood, whose combined figures were a seemingly unimpressive none for 129, kept them at bay.

“I got a bit excited there at the end - I thought we had it in the bag,” said de Villiers.

“I thought Chris and David played a great hand in that partnership to get us so close ... (but) you’ve got to give credit to the last two bowlers for England.

“They showed some great skill and good plans.”

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was named man of the-match after making 101, equalling his highest ODI score, but Ball and Wood got England home as the tournament hosts enjoyed a morale-boosting success ahead of next week’s Champions Trophy.

“I don’t know how to explain it really,” said England captain Eoin Morgan.

“To have won it without taking wickets (in the last two overs) is an unbelievable effort.

“Woody’s yorkers are usually very good. So going against what he’s naturally good at, and just with his raw pace and variation with cross-seam off the wicket, worked through the day.

“Then in that last over I think he might have bluffed him a couple of times.”

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Catch all the Latest Cricket News, Live Cricket Score and IPL 2024 Schedule, match updates along with Cricket Schedule, Purple Cap in IPL 2024, Orange Cap in IPL 2024 and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On