Cameron Bancroft ‘ball-tampering’: Australia batsman seen on camera apparently hiding object in his trousers

Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft is at the centre of an alleged ball-tampering row after he was seen holding a small yellow object in his hand while working on the ball during the match against South Africa.

The 25-year-old was holding the ball when television cameras caught him producing a flat bit of material from his pocket, with slow-motion replays being shown both on TV coverage and on the big screen at Newlands, and Bancroft then appeared to put the material into his trousers in an attempt to hide it.

Umpires Richard Illingworth and Nigel Llong spoke to Bancroft at the time of the incident, and he produced what looked to be a sunglasses case from his pocket – though the black fabric did not look like the piece of material that he had put into his trousers seconds before.

While the two English umpires appeared satisfied with Bancroft’s explanation, officials could still choose to review the incident.

Reverse swing has been a major part of this series, and players can increase that by roughing up the ball with foreign objects, which is strictly prohibited in cricket.

Australia, which was falling a long way behind in the game, appeared desperate for wickets to turn it around.

The Bancroft incident was the latest in a string of contentious moments throughout the series.

On Day two on Friday at Newlands, the Australians lodged an official complaint with their South African hosts over what they called the abusive behaviour of home fans in Cape Town. Australia coach Darren Lehmann said several of his players had been verbally abused by the crowd, abuse which included references to the players' families. Lehmann called the fans' behaviour "disgraceful" and Cricket South Africa ordered an increased security presence in the crowd on Saturday. That included police officers.

Earlier, South Africa wrapped up Australia's first innings for 255 as Kagiso Rabada took the one Australian wicket that South Africa needed, removing Josh Hazlewood with an edge to Hashim Amla at slip. Rabada finished with four wickets, as did fellow pace bowler Morne Morkel.

Tim Paine was 34 not out for Australia which had resumed on 245-9.

It gave South Africa a 56-run first-innings lead, which the home team took past 200 by the end of the second session.

Markram made his 84 from 145 balls with 10 fours and two sixes before he fell soon after the Bancroft incident, caught at mid-on off Mitchell Starc. Pat Cummins took the other two wickets, Dean Elgar for 14 and Hashim Amla for 31.

To make matters worse for Australia, Markram was dropped on 0 off the fourth ball of the innings, when Usman Khawaja spilled a catch at gully that could have really put the pressure on South Africa.

The four-match series is level at 1-1.

Additional reporting by AP