Cricket: Broad at centre of ball tampering tension

In a classic example of rubbing salt into open wounds, South Africa virtually accused England of ball tampering last night.

They were in complete control of the third Test on 312 for 2 at the time, but in a matter-of-fact but dramatic statement confirmed that they had complained to the match referee at the close of the third day here at Newlands.

England were extremely angry about their opponents' actions and it seemed that talks between the two boards will be necessary to avoid bitter confrontations on the field in the rest of the Test series.

Although the tourists had heard nothing official from the series referee, Roshan Mahanama, by the end of play yesterday, a team spokesman said: "We totally refute any suggestions of ball tampering or malpractice."

Although some footage had been shown on television earlier in the day of Stuart Broad stamping on the ball and the umpires seemed to have a word with England's captain, Andrew Strauss, as the teams came back on to the field after lunch it looked to have been swept aside later as South Africa extended their lead to 330.

But the team's official spokesman began the post-match press conference by announcing: "There have been several queries about various video footage being shown today and certain allegations being made about the ball. We have raised our concerns with the match referee about it and it's up to him to decide if any further action or investigation is necessary. In terms of ICC regulations we can't comment any further."

South Africa must have been aware that the potential repercussions of this were explosive. Ball tampering, if proved, can lead to the imposition of penalty runs and match bans for the guilty team. Infamously at The Oval three years ago it brought a Test match to a halt when Pakistan were accused n and later cleared.

However, there seemed to be an element of mischief in South Africa's intentions because Mahanama said last night that he had received no official complaint. A written statement has to be made on an official form by the start of play today if the matter is to proceed.

England were clearly nonplussed and when the matter was raised with their coach, Andy Flower, who clearly expected to field questions about his bowlers' ineffectiveness on the day, he had heard nothing about it.

"The umpires or match referees haven't said anything to us about it," he said. "This is the first I have heard of it so I can't really comment on it all."

The footage on television showed Broad stopping the ball with the sole of his boot. The implication was that he might be trying to rough up one side of the ball with his spikes to try to make it reverse swing, a potent weapon which helped England to win the second Test last week.

"Over the years we have seen a lot of tall fast bowlers stop the ball with their boot," Flower said. "I don't see anything sinister in it at all. By shining the ball on your trousers you get a smooth side and that helps to reverse swing the ball. If you talk about stopping a ball once with your boot through a session of 80 overs you're being a little pernickety."

Although Mahanama did not confirm as much, it seemed he raised the original television footage with the umpire at lunch. That is why, in turn, the umpires, Daryl Harper and Tony Hill, had a chat with Strauss before play resumed.

They were making clear that if Strauss or his team had concerns at any time about the state of the ball it should be raised with them. The players should not scuff at the ball themselves.

The further irony, apart from South Africa's dominant position, is that most of England's wickets have been taken by their off-spinner, Graeme Swann. But after South Africa's defeat in Durban their coach, Mickey Arthur, said: "I want to know why England are swinging it and we're not."

Flower, in an ironical retort last night said: "This amazing reverse swing achieved by Stuart Broad standing on the ball clearly hasn't worked."

- THE INDEPENDENT