South African seamer Philander fined for ball-tampering

South African pace bowler Vernon Philander has been fined 75% of his match fee for tampering with the ball during the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

South African pace bowler Vernon Philander has been fined 75 per cent of his match fee for tampering with the ball during the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

"The incident that led to the charge being laid took place in the afternoon when Philander was captured on footage changing the condition of the ball by scratching the surface with his fingers and thumb," said an International Cricket Council (ICC) statement.

"The penalty was accepted by Philander without contest so there was no need for a hearing."

Philander is the second South Africa player to be fined for the offence in the last year after his teammate Faf du Plessis was found guilty of using the zip in his trousers to mark the ball during a Test

Philander finished with figures of 0-31 on Friday as a five-wicket haul from his fellow paceman Dale Steyn reduced Sri Lanka to 283-9 in their pursuit of South Africa's first innings 455-9 declared.