South Africa captain AB de Villiers hits out at umpires for implying his team were ball tampering

AB de Villiers hit out at the umpires for implying his team were ball tampering during their defeat to England.

De Villiers became embroiled in a row with the officials after they queried the condition of the ball in the 32nd over of the England innings.

After a lengthy discussion with the South Africa captain, the umpires decided not to change the ball. Under ball tampering protocols the umpires are first required to speak to the captain on the field if the ball deteriorates beyond expected wear and tear.

Ultimately, if the umpires suspect ball tampering, the ball will be changed and the captain reported to the match referee. This time the umpires backed away from taking action as De Villiers argued his team’s cause. It is only six months ago that South Africa’s Test captain, Faf du Plessis, was fined his match fee for changing the condition of the ball in a Test match in Australia.

“The umpires felt the condition of the ball changed in a way making me feel we are responsible as a team and I was quite upset about that,” said De Villiers. “I honestly told the umpires we had nothing to do with the condition of the ball except for the fact Maharajah bowled five overs on the trot and the ball scuffs up when the spinner bowls a few overs. One ball looked new still, the other one a bit scuffed up. I was pretty upset that we were held responsible for that.

“Yes I did feel that [South Africa were accused of ball tampering]. I think it was just a bad Kookaboora ball on the day. That happens sometimes. The leather comes off badly-manufactured balls. That was my feeling, unfortunately the umpires did not agree. Nothing happened. Generally there is a warning or fine but that did not happen so that tells me they think we were innocent in this case. I think.”

A series win for England gives them the option of resting Ben Stokes at Lord’s on Monday with the all-rounder set to have further scans on his injured left knee.

The injury only bothers him in his bowling stride and he feels no pain when batting and fielding. But with his injury record, England have to be careful, especially with the Champions Trophy only a few days away.

“We are constantly monitoring him and will manage him as best we can,” said Eoin Morgan, the captain. “It is a strange injury. It aggravates in his bowling stride and is ok batting but we want Ben Stokes the all-rounder. Unless he is injured or a risk then I think he will play [on Monday].”

Stokes has only bowled five overs in two one-day internationals and at the end when they had to defend only seven off the last six balls it was his Durham colleague Mark Wood who took the job of bowling the pressure over.

For England to win with two batsmen well set at the crease was a remarkable performance. “We needed wickets. That is what we talked about,” said Morgan. “To have won it without doing that is an unbelievable effort. Those are the sort of games you really want to win, you learn a more from these games. The Champions Trophy is bound to be tight so this preparation is ideal.” 

Morgan confirmed Chris Woakes was rested as a precaution after feeling tightness in his thigh.