A shocking incident was caught on the stump camera during the last day of the third Test between India and Australia. An Australian player was seen shadow bat on the pitch during drinks break in the first session. But before leaving, he scruffed up the batsman's mark.
India batsman Rishabh Pant had to ask for the guard again before resuming batting after the drinks break was over. The jersey number 49 can be seen in the video clip, which is worn by Steve Smith.
The incident has raised questions on the sportsmanship of the Australians. Also, the act can create a problem for Smith as a 'fielder causing deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch' can be a Level 1 or 2 offense under the ICC Code of Conduct.
As per section 41.12.1, It is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. A fielder will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause and 41.12.2, if a fielder causes avoidable damage to the pitch, other than as in clause 41.13.1, at the first instance the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire.
Pant had created panic in the Australian side with his counter attack. He was dismissed by Nathan Lyon after scoring 97 runs off 117 deliveries.
