Cricketing fraternity in support of Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis

The cricketing fraternity has come in defense of South Africa’s stand-in Test captain Faf du Plessis, who has come under the scanner for an alleged ball-tampering incident. Controversy erupted yesterday after the International Cricket Council (ICC) charged South African skipper Faf du Plessis for ball-tampering.

Du Plessis, who is leading the side in the absence of AB de Villiers came under the scanner for using “lollipop” saliva to change the condition of the ball in the Hobart Test. Consequently, an investigation was carried out and Du Plessis was charged under Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, according to which du Plessis has “changed the condition of the ball”.

The Proteas cricket team led by Hashim Amla expressed their disappointment and termed this decision as a ‘joke.’ Many others like former skipper Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, England’s Matt Prior and Australian legend Mathew Hayden also disagreed with the ICC’s decision and expressed their thought through tweets.

Steyn tweeted his opinion on the issue, saying that performance, and not lollipops should be in focus. The speedster put his perspective in a rather poetic manner and wrote: “Beaten with the bat. Beaten with the ball. Beaten in the field. Mentally stronger. Here’s an idea, Let’s blame it on a lollipop”

Beaten with the bat.
Beaten with the ball.
Beaten in the field.
Mentally stronger.

Here's a idea, Let's blame it on a lollipop ? #soft

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) November 18, 2016

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.

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

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) November 18, 2016

South Africa’s most successful skipper Graeme Smith also wasn’t amused termed the judgment as ‘unbelievable.’ He wrote: “I cannot believe the puppet show the ICC has become, ball tampering allegations are a joke.”

I cannot believe the puppet show the @ICC has become, ball tampering allegations are a joke.

— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) November 18, 2016

Matt Prior also felt somewhat similar called the decision as ridiculous. The former England wicket-keeper pointed out an obvious reason for defending Faf du Plessis saying that this act of shining the ball using saliva is done by all the teams.

This is ridiculous…And you know why…because every single team does it! https://t.co/YaT1CAosgQ

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) November 18, 2016

Mathew Hayden everyone to focus on better cricket instead.

“Ball tampering OMG please. What about this ‘Watch the ball’ the rest will look after itself!!!”

Ball tampering OMG please. What about this 'Watch the ball' the rest will look after itself!!!

— Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) November 18, 2016