Du Plessis charged over ball tampering

The ball-tampering controversy surrounding South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been ignited after he was today charged with ‘changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3’ by the International Cricket Council.

Du Plessis pleaded not guilty and will now require a hearing, the details of which are still to be confirmed.

All level 2 breaches carry an imposition of a fine between 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the applicable match fee and/or up to two suspension points (equal to one Test match), and three or four demerit points.

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During the 54th over, with Australia 5-150, Nine's Wide World of Sport cameras showed du Plessis – with a round, white lolly on his tongue – licking his finger before rubbing the Kookaburra and repeating the act at least two more times.

Wicketkeeper Peter Nevill was out the very next ball, fending off a short-pitched delivery to gully. Joe Mennie fell later in the same over, given out lbw to a low full toss that swung in towards leg stump.

Former England opener Marcus Trescothick in 2009 admitted he had used mints to help produce saliva which kept the ball newer for a longer period of time during the memorable 2005 Ashes series.

It's understood Cricket Australia did not lodge an official complaint regarding the matter.

Hashim Amla today led a united front from the Proteas camp in a tense media conference at the MCG, as pressure mounted on the side’s touring captain.

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"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."

Amla remained adamant that 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."

Du Plessis, who has long been South Africa's player in charge of shining the ball, was fined by the ICC for rubbing the ball on a trouser zipper during a 2013 Test against Pakistan. In mid-2014 Vernon Philander was also fined by the ICC for scratching the surface of the ball during a Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Cricket South Africa's ethics sub-committee chairman Vusi Pikoli later raised concerns about the national team's "reputation". 

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