Bowlers in the clear over ball controversy

NO ACTION will be taken against England after South Africa raised concerns about the condition of the ball during the third day of the third Test, the International Cricket Council said yesterday.

Television pictures showed England bowler Stuart Broad stopping the ball with his foot and the issue was brought to the attention of match referee Roshan Mahanama on Tuesday, although South Africa made no official complaint.

TV footage also suggested seamer Jimmy Anderson may have been picking the seam with his thumbnail.

“The International Cricket Council confirms that it has received no official lodgment from South Africa team management laying a charge against any England player following reports of alleged breaches of Law 42.3 (changing the condition of the ball) on day three of the third Test between the two teams in Cape Town,” the ICC said in a statement.

“With play on day four of the match having resumed, the deadline for submission of such notification has now passed.

“In addition, having reviewed relevant television footage, the umpires also decided not to bring a charge against any player for a breach of Law 42.3.”

Law 42.3 states that “it is unfair for anyone to rub the ball on the ground for any reason, interfere with any of the seams or the surface of the ball, use any implement, or take any other action whatsoever which is likely to alter the condition of the ball”.

South Africa batsman AB de Villiers kept the controversy simmering, saying: “There should have been an official complaint because the ball clearly started reversing after Broad stepped on it and you could see a piece of leather was out the ball. It was a bit naughty, I’m not saying Stuart should be banned or anything but it certainly deserves to be looked at.”

South Africa manager Mohammed Moosajee said: “We are satisfied and will not take the matter further but we were concerned about the condition of the ball as early as the 15th over when it started to reverse-swing.

“We looked on TV and we could clearly see the ball had been altered, whether inadvertently or not, we left that to the match referee. But there was an indentation on the ball and marks that went across.”

Alastair Cook said the England team had not been affected by the controversy. “Obviously we discussed what was said but we put it to bed,” he said.