Proteas skipper Du Plessis and coach Boucher were understood to have approached match referee Andy Pycroft.
England speedster Jofra Archer has escaped being banned from bowling for the rest of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion after he delivered two consecutive beamers in the penultimate over of the second day.
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Apparently, Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis and coach Mark Boucher have approached match referee Andy Pycroft after the close of play but there was no immediate statement on what transpired.
“There was a little bit of conversation going on after the game,” South African opening bowler Vernon Philander said after the end of play. “The umpires have to deal with it. Hopefully they will make the right call.”
Although Philander said it was a matter for the officials, he shared his own views as well.
“For me it’s plain and simple. You are setting an example for the rest of the people looking into this game. You have to make the right call. Are you going to tolerate it at another game or are we going to put a stop to it right here?”
Archer bowled two high full tosses at South Africa nightwatchman Anrich Nortje. The first one was deemed no-ball by square leg umpire Paul Reiffel while the umpire appeared to signal the second one as no-ball, he ended up rescinding.
The umpires had a chat with Archer and seemed to accept it was a botched attempt at a slower ball rather than a nasty delivery, as the over was called.
Had the second one being deemed as no-ball, it would have resulted in Archer not being allowed to bowl again according to ICC regulations.
Reflecting on the turn of events, England batsman Joe Denly said: “I was at leg slip and I wasn’t expecting two beamers. The first one fair enough. The second one ... well, it just missed the stumps. I saw him [the square leg umpire, Paul Reiffel] put his arm out and I think he tucked it in quite quickly. They [the umpires] withdrew that second no-ball.”
(Inputs from AFP)