Captain of the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras, Justin Ontong, has been found not guilty of an alleged breach of Clause 2.2.9 of Cricket South Africa’s Rules and Code of Conduct.
The alleged breach took place in the Sunfoil Series Match against the bizhub Highveld Lions at Sahara Park Newlands played from January 10 to 13.
This clause deals with changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket, as modified by ICC Standard Test Match, ODI and Twenty20 International Match Playing Conditions clause 42.1.
The ball in question was sent to Kookaburra, Victoria, Australia, for examination and testing. On February 5, Rob Elliot from Kookaburra reported that “on examination with the naked eye it could easily be assumed that the ball had been tampered with”.
He went on to say that this cannot be said with certainty as it would require forensic examination as “it could be a manufacturing anomaly in so far as the stitch has pulled through the leather.”
CSA Disciplinary Commissioner Professsor Rian Cloete has made the following finding and issued the following order:
“In view of this report and the lack of any other evidence, I find that there is no conclusive evidence substantiating the allegation of ball tampering as stated in the Match Report.
“I find Mr Ontong not guilty of a breach of clause 2.2.9.”
