Reporter showed 'blatant disrespect'

Cricket South Africa have revealed the journalist who was roughly handled by a member of the Proteas security team had been specifically told captain Faf du Plessis would not make a statement at Adelaide Airport.

Channel Nine News reporter Will Crouch attempted to get a direct quote from South Africa captain Faf du Plessis on the 'lollygate' controversy but team security guard Zunaid Wadee intervened in a manner deemed overly hostile by a number of onlookers.

The alleged ball-tampering incident, for which du Plessis has been charged by the International Cricket Council, occurred during the 54th over of Australia's second innings in Hobart.

Nine's Wide World of Sports cameras captured the Proteas skipper with a round, white lolly on his tongue and then licking his finger before rubbing the Kookaburra - and repeating the act at least two more times.

Vision was captured on Sunday of another Channel Nine News journalist, Corey Norris, being manhandled in a heated incident with Wadee after he also tried to speak directly to du Plessis.

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In a statement released on Monday evening, CSA said they are not in a position to comment specifically on the charge against du Plessis, and Crouch’s actions are the third instance of a reporter "aggressively harassing" South African players.

“The Australian media and Channel 9 News in particular have been advised on numerous occasions over the past few days that Cricket South Africa and captain, Faf du Plessis, are not in a position to comment on the alleged ball tampering issue,” South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said in the statement.

“However, despite our best intentions to co-operate with the Australian media, Channel 9 News’ behaviour has been disappointing. We have advised of our media protocol which has been blatantly ignored, both at the team’s hotel on Friday and Saturday and again at the airport in Adelaide today.”

“This is the third incident of a reporter aggressively harassing our players with blatant disrespect of the above-mentioned media protocol.”    

“The ‘reporter’ at the airport disrespected us and continued to harass Faf for comment. The ‘reporter’ was also in the unusual position of being in the middle of the players’ walkway to the bus. He was advised to move three times, and did not adhere to this request.

“The ‘reporter’, who also had no official accreditation, then proceeded to lunge towards Faf with an unknown object causing a direct breach of security protocol. The reporter also shoved the team manager in the back.”

“Throughout the tour we have respected all our media obligations and treated media with utmost respect. At the same time, we would like to see this respect reciprocated and will not accept such behaviour as displayed by the Channel 9 News reporter.”

Early indications suggest du Plessis’ ICC hearing regarding the ball tampering allegation may not occur until after the third Test, which would clear the way for him to play in Adelaide.

On Twitter, veteran South Africa batsman Hashim Amla defended the actions of the Proteas' security detail, saying the situation was caused by "provocative behaviour" of some reporters.

JP Duminy also took to social media to express his disappointment at “what the tour had come to”.

The Proteas have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series but have been rocked by the ball-tampering controversy, with Amla speaking about the issue at a press opportunity in Melbourne last Friday while flanked by the entire squad.

"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."

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Amla remained adamant the team’s leader had no case to answer with the prospect of an historic 3-0 series sweep on the horizon in Adelaide.

"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.

"Is it proven or what? Because that's something that is really new to us.

"I've had sweets in my mouth, bubblegum in my mouth, biltong, nuts – I'm not sure what the big deal is.

"To a lot of people, it's sounding more like sour sweets."

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