England deny ball-tampering accusations

A South Africa spokesman read out a statement at the close-of-play press conference, confirming they had "raised concerns" over "allegations about the ball".

Within the hour, England made it clear they do not accept any suggestion of wrong-doing.

Controversy broke out at Newlands after television cameras showed England seamer Stuart Broad stopping a straight drive during the morning session with the sole of his boot.

England were able to take only two wickets in 80 overs as South Africa piled up 312 and put the tourists in danger of losing a 1-0 series lead over the final two days of this penultimate Test.

The South Africa spokesman later said: "There have been several queries from the media about various video footage shown today, and certain allegations being made about the ball. We have raised our concerns with the match referee about it and we've left it to him to decide if any further action or investigation is necessary."

His opposite number responded: "We totally refute any suggestions of ball-tampering or malpractice."

An International Cricket Council spokesman subsequently confirmed an official complaint must be lodged before the match referee is required to respond.

It is understood South Africa may have identified a package of video footage to support their suspicions. But it remains a moot point whether "raising concerns" constitutes an actual complaint.

Any allegations on the subject of possible ball-tampering carry huge resonance in cricket, given the controversies which have dogged the sport on that score in the recent past. On-field umpires Daryl Harper and Tony Hill did not see fit to change the ball yesterday, however, and England went wicketless for 54 overs while South Africa captain Graeme Smith (162 not out) and Hashim Amla (95) were piling up a record stand of 230. Pressed further about South Africa's recourse, Flower added: "The umpires or match referee haven't said anything to us about that. That's the first I've heard of it.

"I think over the years we have seen a lot of tall fast bowlers stop balls with their feet, so I don't see anything sinister in it all."

The umpires were seen to talk at length to England captain Andrew Strauss as his team made their way back on to the field after lunch. But Flower pointed out: "It could be all manner of things.

"I'm not aware of anything. I think it would be wrong to speculate about what they were talking about before we actually know.

"I think you are talking about very isolated incidents. If you are talking about stopping a ball once with your boot and one throw through a session of 80 overs today I think you are being a little bit pernickety."

Flower was taken aback when he heard South Africa were querying the day's events. Referring to the close-of-play scorecard, he said: "This amazing amount of reverse swing obtained by Stuart Broad standing on the ball obviously hasn't worked.

"The guys worked very honestly. They toiled hard, and the South Africans played very well. Conditions for batting seemed to improve, and now we are behind the black ball."

Smith and Amla piled on the punishment for England to set up a series-levelling platform.

Nothing went right for England's hard-working attack as they wilted in the 100 degree-plus heat – and South Africa took advantage in a record second-wicket stand of 230 out of 312 for two at stumps.

Smith's eventual share of the proceeds was an unbeaten 162 from 243 balls, with England toiling under cloudless skies, while Amla (95) struck 10 fours in his first 50 runs. There was clearly no indication that Broad's studs had any untoward effect on its subsequent behaviour, as England went wicketless for 54 overs.

South Africa's second innings was more notable perhaps for several examples of DRS in action, with mixed results. Ashwell Prince survived one faulty caught-behind decision off James Anderson, on review, then was rightly dispatched when he queried another – lbw to Graeme Swann.

Smith came through a saga of reviews and non-reviews for lbw against the England off-spinner, as well as a clutch of other scrapes but the South Africa captain gradually ground England into submission, then upped the ante after tea on his way to and beyond three figures for the 19th time as his partnership with Amla beat the previous Test highest for the wicket at this venue.

When Morne Morkel had taken two wickets in two balls in the first over of the day, it seemed certain England – having begun on 241 for seven – would concede an awkward first-innings deficit. But thanks to Prior (76), who dominated a last-wicket stand of 32 with Onions, they narrowed the margin to 18.

Smith will look to push on to his third double hundred against England when he resumes with Jacques Kallis (20no) resume this morning.