SA v AUS 2018: Vernon Philander claims his Twitter account was hacked after taking a dig at Steve Smith

The Test series is level at 1-1.

Rabada shouldered Steve Smith while celebrating his wicket | Twitter

Proteas quick Vernon Philander has claimed his Twitter account was hacked on Wednesday (March 14) after derogatory comments about Australia skipper Steve Smith were posted from his profile.

Shortly before midnight South Africa time, Philander's official Twitter page blamed Smith for initiating the shoulder contact that resulted in Rabada getting banned for the remaining two Tests against Australia.

Rabada, who bowled South Africa to victory with 11 wickets in the second test in Port Elizabeth, was found guilty of the Level 2 offence for making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with Smith during the first day’s play.

Philander's original tweet claimed that the Australian captain is ‘just as guilty’ as Rabada and hit out at the International Cricket Council’s decision to suspend the fast bowler.

"Havent really seen the fotage of this incident but by the looks of this...Steve Smith gave KG the shoulder. He could have avoided any contact but to me he is just as guilty. Trying some football skills to get a penalty??? Pity he didnt dive to top it off," Philander’s deleted tweet read.

However, Philander on Thursday (March 15) clarified that his account had been hacked.

“Good morning all my tweeps. Waking up this morning to a lot of twitter craziness as my acc. got hacked and someone posted a nice little article on my behalf. Sorry for all the drama or entertainment caused by the looks of it. Have a great day all,” Vernon Philander tweeted on Thursday morning.

In the same Test match, the 22-year-old Rabada was also hit with a Level 1 offence for screaming in the face of David Warner having castled the Aussie opener in the second innings for just 13.

Rabada was given four demerit points and fined 65 percent of his match fee from the game at St George's Park after earning three points for making physical contact with Smith while copping one point for giving a colourful send-off to Warner on day three. Kagiso Rabada has accumulated eight demerit points within a 24-month period that automatically resulted in a two-match suspension.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 15 Mar, 2018

    Share Via