Reports: David Warner accused of ball tampering by South African players

South Africa tour is getting worse day by day for Australia vice-captain David Warner as he has been hit by ball tampering allegations now. The ongoing second Test match has been tantalisingly poised and the drama continues to unfold in Port Elizabeth. Warner’s hand was seen heavily strapped during the second day’s play on Saturday. However, the strapping is believed to have helped him in tampering with the condition of the ball.

Warner has been already fined 75 percent of his match fee and handed over three demerit points for his altercation with South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock in the first Test. He was accused of bringing disrepute to the game and even he accepted all the charges. Interestingly, Warner was fined 15 percent of his match fee for accusing AB de Villiers of ball tampering back in 2014 at the same venue.

Did he really tamper the ball?

According to the reports in The Australian and Channel 9, South African batsmen complained to the on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Chris Gaffaney about the taping on the left hand of David Warner. He had heavy strapping over much of his left palm which, according to South African players, was aiding him in tampering with the condition of the ball.

While there are still no statements from either of the teams or from their respective cricket boards, this will surely distract Warner who is having a great time with the bat. But the other events like these are not helping his cause. Even on the first day of the Test match, CSA officials were seen clicking the photographs with the spectators wearing offensive masks which indirectly pointed to the Australian opener and the spat between De Kock and him.

However, CSA soon took the legal action on those officials and also released an apology statement to Cricket Australia and David Warner to close the matter at its earliest.

#SAvAUS @davidwarner31 whats this then? Init illegal? pic.twitter.com/sSmDYoVmQd

— Sam Rogue (@SamRogue1) March 10, 2018