Internet Desk: The ongoing ball tampering saga took an ugly turn on Monday as aChannel Nine reporter attempting to interview Faf du Plessis was physically attacked by a South African security officer.
Tempers flared as South African officials attempted to clear a path for their besieged captain.
Footage has emerged of the Proteas’ head of security Zunaid Wadee shoving Channel Nine reporter Will Crouch into a window at Adelaide Airport at the South African team’s arrival. Wadee had earlier driven his shoulder into Crouch.
The reporter had been trying to get a comment from du Plessis over the ball tampering charge that threatens to sideline the captain from the third Test starting on Thursday.
Proteas captain Du Plessis is due to face an International Cricket Council disciplinary hearing on ball tampering charges arising from the second Test against Australia in Hobart last week, and tensions with media are simmering.
Nine Network reporter Will Crouch was aggressively pulled away from the skipper as the team arrived at Adelaide airport ahead of the third and final Test this week, footage showed.
The journalist pushed back before he was shouldered away and into the door by a man Australian media said was Proteas security chief Zunaid Wadee.
Du Plessis was wearing headphones at the time of the altercation and reporters said he gave a thumbs-up to cameras moments before Wadee clashed with Crouch, who was unharmed.
Proteas batsman Hashim Amla tweeted his disappointment at the untoward incident.
Disappointed.. such provocative behaviour from reporters.Let a man walk in peace.Ask with manners n courtesy and u prob will get a response.
— hashim amla (@amlahash) November 21, 2016
The Proteas skipper allegedly had a sweet, or mint, in his mouth and rubbed saliva into the ball to get more swing during the Hobart match and is facing a one-match ban.
A hearing will be held by Andy Pycroft of the ICC match referees panel. The results will be announced in due course, the ICC said in a statement on Friday.
South Africa are chasing a first-ever series whitewash in Australia when they go into Thursday’s pink ball Test in Adelaide.