NAN-S-4
Debate
Sydney, Nov. 19, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South Africa Pace Spearhead, Dale Steyn has not allowed a series-ending injury to prevent him from backing his Captain Faf du Plessis over allegations of ball tampering.
He suggested that Australia was using the incident as an excuse for losing.
Du Plessis was charged with ball tampering on Friday after Australian television pictures showed him applying saliva to the ball with a sweet in his mouth during the second test.
South Africa won the match to clinch the series with a match to spare.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) could ban Du Plessis from one test match if he is found guilty, putting him in doubt for next week’s third test in Adelaide.
Du Plessis has pleaded not guilty.
Hashim Amla and the rest of the Proteas squad made clear on Friday how they felt about the charge; the batsman describing it as a “joke” with his team mates standing behind him.
Steyn added his thoughts on Twitter on Saturday.
“Beaten with the bat. Beaten with the ball. Beaten in the field. Mentally stronger. Here’s an idea, Let us blame it on a lollipop, soft,’’ he posted.
Steyn later tried to clarify his comment with another post.
“Just so we clear, I am not blaming the Aussies but I would not let a fantastic series win be tarnished by some lollipop fabrication. 3-0 mission, ‘’ (Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Adeleye Ajayi)