Johannesburg [South Africa], Nov. 21 : Ugly scenes were witnessed at the Adelaide Airport where a security official travelling with the South African cricket team shoved an Australian television reporter against a glass door who was attempting to interview stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis.
According to Sport24, the incident took place on Monday when Nine Network reporter Will Crouch was pulled away from du Plessis as the team arrived at the airport ahead of the third and final Test.
The scribe was pushed back before he was shouldered away and into the door reportedly by Proteas security chief Zunaid Wadee.
In the video footage, the Proteas skipper can be seen wearing headphones at the time of the altercation and as per the Australian reporters, he gave a thumbs-up to cameras moments before Wadee clashed with Crouch, who was unharmed.
Reacting to the incident on Twitter, veteran batsman Hashim Amla lashed out at the reporter, saying, "Disappointed.such provocative behaviour from reporters. Let a man walk in peace. Ask with manners n courtesy and u prob will get a response (sic)." However, Channel Nine also said that the Proteas security chief also had a run-in with one of its reporters in Melbourne over the weekend as he attempted to ask du Plessis about the tampering issue.
Du Plessis has been charged with ball tampering by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he allegedly applied a mint-infused saliva to the ball during the fourth day's play of the second Test against Australia, which concluded in Hobart on last Tuesday.
The 32-year-old was found to have breached Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "changing the condition of the ball".
"The alleged incident happened on Tuesday morning when TV footage appeared to show du Plessis applying saliva and residue from a mint or sweet, an artificial substance, to the ball in an attempt to change its condition," the ICC said in a statement.
Du Plessis has pleaded not guilty and is now seeking legal advice to further contest the charge. The matter will now be heard by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, but a date for the hearing is yet to be decided.
Earlier, the ICC had confirmed that they were reviewing the video footage showing du Plessis chewing a white lolly in his mouth, licking his finger on the mint before repeatedly shining and rubbing the ball.
South Africa are currently chasing a first-ever series whitewash in Australia when they go into the pink ball Test in Adelaide commencing from November 24.
Source: ANI
