Ball-tampering allegations on du Plessis are a joke, says Hashim Amla
South Africa batsman Hashim Amlan has spoken behalf of the Proteas team saying that they are fully convinced that ball-tampering allegations against captain Faf du Plessis are false. Standing alongside the entire team in the press conference, Amla said that they have come out to show solidarity.
Just two hours after the International Cricket Council(ICC) charged South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis with ball-tampering, the entire South African team stood in the press conference and allowed Hashim Amla, who was designated for the day, to speak to the press. Amla began in an unusual fashion by saying, "Good afternoon everybody. As you can see we have the full team here behind us," Amla said. "The reason everybody is here is to stand together and to show solidarity to what has been something we actually thought was a joke. It's not April. But the allegations against Faf were
Replays from the Hobart Test against Australia showed that Faf du Plessis shined the ball after licking his fingers with a sweet in his mouth. Amla questioned the governing body's logic behind the decision to charge their captain.
"I chew bubblegum while I am fielding. Do you want me to brush my teeth after lunch every time I come out?" he said. "You've got to be logical about this, common sense surely should prevail. If I've got something in my mouth, guys are handing out red froggies at lunch time to give the kids, keep them hydrated, energise them and we are in the field for two hours. We eat nuts, biltong, that sort of thing. There was no malicious intent."
Previously England's Marcus Trescothick wrote in his autobiography that sugary sweets have been used to shine one side of the ball in order to get reverse swing. When the topic was brought up by the reporters, Amla asked, "Is that a tactic? Is it proven or what?”
“That's something that's 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. Are you sure it (an advantage) can be gained? We don't know. I can only speak for what my captain has done," he added.
It is also surprising to learn that Du Plessis had not been reported by the match officials and the ICC were only alerted through media reports and then chose to review it.
Amla also stated that the entire team is behind their captain and they are convinced that he is innocent.
"I am just trying to clear what we think is an absolutely wrongful allegation made on our captain. We are standing in solidarity to our captain who has done absolutely nothing wrong. It's pretty clear what we are trying to do you here. As I said, we've done nothing wrong. If there was any doubt whatsoever, you wouldn't have the full team here. We've just basically done nothing wrong," the 33-year old said.
It is also uncertain if the hearing on the issue will take place before next Thursday when the third and final Test of the series at Adelaide is scheduled. If found guilty, du Plessis could face a suspension of one Test.
