Faf du Plessis fined for ball tampering

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined South African all-rounder Faf du Plessis with 50 per cent of his match fee for ball tampering against Pakistan. Laying a charge under the ICC Code of Conduct, Match referee David Boon fined Du Plessis in an ICC statement for breaching Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket. Television replays showed the 29 years old Du Plessis rubbing the ball over a zip on his trousers on day three of South Africa's second Test against Pakistan in Dubai. The umpires were forced to change the ball, and applied a five-run penalty. Du Plessis pleaded guilty to an ICC Code of Conduct offence relating to "changing the condition of the ball". This October the ICC amended its laws regarding the condition of balls. According to the new rules, if a player responsible can be identified, the ball will be changed, a five-run penalty will be awarded and the player responsible will be reported. Altering the condition of the ball is a level two offence under the ICC's Code of Conduct, which carries a penalty of 50-100 per cent of their match fee and/or suspension from one Test or two one-day internationals for a first offence. The last time a five-run penalty was issued for ball tampering was during the 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan, when the tourists were adjudged the guilty party. Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq reacted angrily and decided not to continue the Test in protest. Australian umpire Darrell Hair duly awarded the game to England - the only forfeited match in Test history. International Cricket Council (ICC): The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989. The ICC has 107 members: 10 Full Members that play official Test matches, 37 Associate Members, and 60 Affiliate Members. The ICC is responsible for the organisation and governance of cricket's major international tournaments, most notably the Cricket World Cup. It promulgates the ICC Code of Conduct, which sets professional standards of discipline for international cricket, and also co-ordinates action against corruption and match-fixing through its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU). The ICC does not control bilateral fixtures between member countries, it does not govern domestic cricket in member countries, and it does not make the laws of the game, which remain under the control of the Marylebone Cricket Club. What: Faf du Plessis fined for ball tampering When: 26 October 2013 Why: ICC Imposed fine for breaching Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket, that is changing the condition of the ball