Commentators were quick to point out Australia's knack for throwing the ball short on day five of the third Test in an apparent attempt to roughen up the ball.
Michael Clarke (L) encourages James Pattinson on day five at Newlands. Source: Getty Images
INSINUATIONS of ball tampering from both sides continue to blight the series, with Australia warned by the umpires about how the ball was being treated during a tense final day of the third and deciding Test.
Shortly before lunch, with South Africa hanging on grimly at 5-121, umpires Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena called captain Michael Clarke over and the three had an animated, arm-waving conversation.
Dar was holding the ball in one hand and appeared to be gesturing to it, however the ball was not changed and the umpires did not penalise Australia five runs, which they must do under the playing conditions if they believe the ball has been deliberately tampered with.
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The problem appeared to be the Australians constantly throwing the ball into rough areas around the pitch and practice pitches.
Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers were thorns in Australia's side. Source: Getty Images
After the conversation Ryan Harris gestured to umpire Dharmasena, with the fast bowler rubbings his hands together in exaggerated fashion.
The Australians believe that South African wicketkeeper AB de Villiers helped rough the ball up during the second Test in Port Elizabeth by constantly rubbing it in his gloves.
David Warner made the claim on Sydney radio and was fined $2900 by the International Cricket Council for making detrimental public comment. Warner was also disciplined by the Australian team hierarchy.
South Africa levelled the series at one-all in Port Elizabeth thanks to some brilliant reverse swing bowling.
It also became a hot issue in this Test when convicted ball tamper Faf du Plessis questioned how Australia was able to generate reverse swing so quickly.
"I must be honest, I was really surprised to see the ball reverse from their side," du Plessis said after the third day. "I think it was 27 overs when the ball started reversing, especially after rain and a wet outfield (from the day before). I was really surprised by that, so … let's leave it at that."
Du Plessis was fined 50 per cent of his match fee after he was found guilty of ball tampering in the second Test against Pakistan last October.
He was caught on camera rubbing the ball against a zip on his pocket, leading umpires Ian Gould and Rod Tucker to penalise South Africa five runs and change the ball.
While Australia was struggling to win the Test, the unique record of never losing a series in the new South Africa remains intact.
It is a remarkable achievement which now extends to seven series in a row since South Africa returned from sporting isolation more than two decades ago.
The record was safe a long way from the end of the third and final Test at Newlands, which Australia dominated from the outset.
The only wicket to fall before lunch on day five was nightwatchman Kyle Abbott. He batted for almost two hours for just seven before leaving a ball from James Pattinson which came back to hit off stump.
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