Proteas quicks tweet on lolly controversy

Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and and Dale Steyn have taken to Twitter to express their opinions about the 'lolly controversy' that has engulfed the South Africa camp after captain Faf du Plessis was yesterday charged with 'changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3' by the International Cricket Council.

The charge followed an extraordinary press conference by star batsman Hashim Amla in Melbourne on Friday, in which he labelled the ball-tampering controversy "ridiculous" and "a joke".

On Tuesday evening following South Africa's humbling of Australia in the second Test in Hobart, footage emerged of du Plessis polishing the ball using saliva from his mouth while sucking on a mint; Law 42.3 of the MCC Cricket Laws states that a fielder may polish a ball, "provided that no artificial substance is used".

Australia coach Darren Lehmann posted a line on Facebook in support of Amla, saying "I agree with Hashim. Speaks sense as always", and it is understood that Cricket Australia made no official complaint to the ICC.

While Lehmann's players are yet to address the issue publicly, both Rabada and Steyn appear to have suggested the Australians are using du Plessis' offence to shift blame for their thrashing in Hobart.