Du Plessis to appeal ICC ruling on `Mintgate`

Johannesburg [South Africa], Nov.22 (ANI): South Africa stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis will appeal the ICC's ruling that found him guilty of ball tampering during the second Test of the three-match series against Australia, which the visitors went on to win by an innings and 80 runs in Hobart. Du Plessis was fined 100 percent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, but was cleared to play the day-night Test beginning Thursday at the Adelaide Oval. The 32-year-old was found guilty after hearing representations and evidence from the umpires as well as Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) head of cricket John Stephenson and ICC match referee Andy Pycroft. However, Cricket South Africa (CSA) now confirmed that the decision will be appealed. Earlier, the 32-year-old was charged by ICC Chief Executive David Richardson after the television footage had appeared showing him chewing a white lolly in his mouth, licking his finger on the mint before repeatedly shining and rubbing the ball during the fourth day's play of the Hobart Test. (ANI)