Umpiring Controversies

Faf du Plessis Ball Tampering — Applying Saliva from Mint

November 2013South Africa vs Pakistan2nd Test, South Africa vs Pakistan, Dubai1 min readSeverity: Moderate

Summary

Faf du Plessis was caught on camera applying saliva to the ball while sucking a mint, which constitutes ball tampering. He was fined but not banned.

What Happened

During the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan in Dubai, television cameras caught South African batsman Faf du Plessis applying saliva to the ball while he had a mint or sweet in his mouth. Applying artificial substances to the ball is considered ball tampering.

Match referee David Boon charged du Plessis with changing the condition of the ball. Du Plessis was found guilty and fined 50% of his match fee but received no ban. The lenient punishment was criticized by some who felt ball tampering should carry a suspension.

Du Plessis and the South African team were unapologetic, with du Plessis saying he didn't believe it constituted ball tampering. The incident raised questions about the grey areas in ball management — players regularly apply saliva to the ball, and the line between legitimate maintenance and tampering is not always clear.

This was not du Plessis' only brush with ball tampering allegations. He was later charged again in 2016 during a Test against Australia, when cameras appeared to show him applying the ball to the zipper of his trouser pocket. He was again fined but not banned.

⚖️ The Verdict

Found guilty. Fined 50% of match fee. No ban. The lenient punishment sparked debate about consistency in ball-tampering sanctions.

Tags

#faf du plessis#ball tampering#mint#saliva#dubai

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