<p>South Africa beat Australia by 492 runs on the fifth day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Tuesday to win the controversy-driven Test series by 3-1 against scandal hit tourists.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Australians were playing in the absence of their regular skipper Steve Smith as he was given a 12-month ban by Cricket Australia and 1 match ban by International Cricket Council for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal that happened in the third Test match.</p>

<p>Vernon Philander grabbed six wickets in a devastating spell of swing bowling as South Africa crushed Australia by a record 492 runs.</p>

<p>South African pacer Kagiso Rabada was awarded 'Player of the Series' and Vernon Philander was awarded 'Player of the Match' for his economical bowling in the last Test match.</p>

<p>"The game will always find a way to humble you, so you never stop learning,” said Kagiso Rabada.</p>

<p>The South African skipper said, "Since that first Test match, the guys were extremely motivated to come back."</p>

<p>Australian tried to draw the match and end the tour with a positive not but Philander ripped through their middle and lower order to finish with career-best figures of 6-21 and move to 204 test wickets.</p>

<p>South Africa completed their biggest victory over the Australians in tests in terms of runs, and also completed their first home series win over the demoralised visitors since 1970.</p>

<p>Morne Morkel, playing in his last Test, dismissed both opening batsmen in an impressive eight-over spell despite heavy strapping around his midriff.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations Man of the Match <a href="https://twitter.com/VDP_24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VDP_24</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProteaFire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProteaFire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/473ojCqKYU">pic.twitter.com/473ojCqKYU</a></p>
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialCSA/status/981104372183642112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations Man of the Series <a href="https://twitter.com/KagisoRabada25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KagisoRabada25</a>!<br />
“The game will always find a way to humble you, so you never stop learning.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProteaFire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProteaFire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SunfoilTest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SunfoilTest</a> <a href="https://t.co/0FFqpUyjK1">pic.twitter.com/0FFqpUyjK1</a></p>
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialCSA/status/981105702298177536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Scorecard:</strong></p>

<p>Final scores on the fifth day of the fourth Test between South Africa and Australia at the Wanderers Stadium on Tuesday:</p>

<p>South Africa, first innings, 488</p>

<p>Australia, first innings, 221</p>

<p>South Africa, second innings, 344-6 dec</p>

<p>Australia, second innings, 119</p>

<p><strong>Result</strong>: South Africa won by 492 runs</p>

<p><strong>Series</strong>: South Africa won 3-1</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">And there’s the moment, congratulations South Africa on the 3-1 series victory! Take a bow <a href="https://twitter.com/mornemorkel65?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mornemorkel65</a>! What a journey! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProteaFire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProteaFire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SunfoilTest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SunfoilTest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MyMorneMoments?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MyMorneMoments</a> <a href="https://t.co/BWt9nbyiMq">pic.twitter.com/BWt9nbyiMq</a></p>
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialCSA/status/981102054084050944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Purely on skill, they just outplayed us” - Tim Paine. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/knvBMjRMfe">pic.twitter.com/knvBMjRMfe</a></p>
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialCSA/status/981104028301045760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


South Africa completed their first home series win over the scandal-hit visitors since 1970

South Africa beat Australia by 492 runs on the fifth day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Tuesday to win the controversy-driven Test series by 3-1 against scandal hit tourists. Australians were playing in the absence of their regular skipper Steve Smith as he was given a 12-month ban by Cricket Australia and 1 match ban by International Cricket Council for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal that happened in the third Test match. Vernon Philander grabbed six wickets in a devastating spell of swing bowling as South Africa crushed Australia by a record 492 runs. South African pacer Kagiso Rabada was awarded 'Player of the Series' and Vernon Philander was awarded 'Player of the Match' for his economical bowling in the last Test match. "The game will always find a way to humble you, so you never stop learning,” said Kagiso Rabada. The South African skipper said, "Since that first Test match, the guys were extremely motivated to come back." Australian tried to draw the match and end the tour with a positive not but Philander ripped through their middle and lower order to finish with career-best figures of 6-21 and move to 204 test wickets. South Africa completed their biggest victory over the Australians in tests in terms of runs, and also completed their first home series win over the demoralised visitors since 1970. Morne Morkel, playing in his last Test, dismissed both opening batsmen in an impressive eight-over spell despite heavy strapping around his midriff. Congratulations Man of the Match @VDP_24! #ProteaFire #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/473ojCqKYU — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 3, 2018 × Congratulations Man of the Series @KagisoRabada25! “The game will always find a way to humble you, so you never stop learning.” #ProteaFire #SAvAUS #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/0FFqpUyjK1 — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 3, 2018 × Scorecard: Final scores on the fifth day of the fourth Test between South Africa and Australia at the Wanderers Stadium on Tuesday: South Africa, first innings, 488 Australia, first innings, 221 South Africa, second innings, 344-6 dec Australia, second innings, 119 Result: South Africa won by 492 runs Series: South Africa won 3-1 And there’s the moment, congratulations South Africa on the 3-1 series victory! Take a bow @mornemorkel65! What a journey! #ProteaFire #SAvAUS #SunfoilTest #MyMorneMoments pic.twitter.com/BWt9nbyiMq — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 3, 2018 × “Purely on skill, they just outplayed us” - Tim Paine. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/knvBMjRMfe — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 3, 2018 ×

In absence of Steve Smith, South Africa destroy Australia by 492 runs in last Test

<p>Faf Du Plessis slammed a magnificent century&nbsp;scored 120 runs off 178 balls. It was his first major contribution of the series as South Africa moved further ahead of Australia on the fourth day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Monday.</p>

<p>South Africa were 202 for three at lunch, an overall lead of 469. South African captain Du Plessis made 81 not out and opening batsman Dean Elgar was on 59 not out.</p>

<p>Only 20 overs were bowled on a heavily overcast morning. Bad light delayed the start, there was a 16-minute stoppage for more bad light and a further delay when Du Plessis was injured.</p>

<p>South Africa, who lead the series 2-1 and need only to draw to clinch their first home series win against Australia since 1969/70, added 68 runs without losing a wicket.</p>

<p>Elgar crawled to a half-century off 199 balls, ironically reaching the mark with a six off Mitchell Marsh.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">FOUR! Big cheers as <a href="https://twitter.com/faf1307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@faf1307</a> brings up career Test century number 8 from 163 balls (17x4s, 1x6), take a bow, you beauty! SA 240/3 after 85 overs, lead by 507. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProteaFire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProteaFire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SunfoilTest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SunfoilTest</a> <a href="https://t.co/UVttFfPwI3">pic.twitter.com/UVttFfPwI3</a></p>
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialCSA/status/980766622712508418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


South Africa, who lead the series 2-1 and need only to draw to clinch their first home series win

Faf Du Plessis slammed a magnificent century scored 120 runs off 178 balls. It was his first major contribution of the series as South Africa moved further ahead of Australia on the fourth day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Monday. South Africa were 202 for three at lunch, an overall lead of 469. South African captain Du Plessis made 81 not out and opening batsman Dean Elgar was on 59 not out. Only 20 overs were bowled on a heavily overcast morning. Bad light delayed the start, there was a 16-minute stoppage for more bad light and a further delay when Du Plessis was injured. South Africa, who lead the series 2-1 and need only to draw to clinch their first home series win against Australia since 1969/70, added 68 runs without losing a wicket. Elgar crawled to a half-century off 199 balls, ironically reaching the mark with a six off Mitchell Marsh. FOUR! Big cheers as @faf1307 brings up career Test century number 8 from 163 balls (17x4s, 1x6), take a bow, you beauty! SA 240/3 after 85 overs, lead by 507. #ProteaFire #SAvAUS #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/UVttFfPwI3 — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 2, 2018 ×

AUS vs SA: Faf Du Plessis slams his eighth Test century, stretches South Africa lead

<p>Skipper Tim Paine batted splendidly with a stress fracture on his thumb as scandal-hit Australia showed some much-needed fight in the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg on Sunday.</p>

<p>The new skipper top-scored for Australia with 62 off 96 balls before being caught by a diving Dean Elgar in the deep off Kagiso Rabada.</p>

<p>In reply to South Africa's first innings total of 488 all out, Australia were bundled out for 221 runs.</p>

<p>The new Australian captain was in immense pain and was assisted by team's physiotherapist.&nbsp</p>

<p>Despite suffering a hairline fracture, Paine resumed batting on Day 3.</p>

<p>The fourth Test also saw Australian fast bowler Morne Morkel suffer a side strain. Morkel left the field after bowling two balls of his 13th over during the morning session.</p>

<p>Apart from Paine, Usman Khawaja (53) and Pat Cummins (50) chipped in with valuable runs for the visiting team.</p>

<p>Paine was handed the captaincy after former skipper Steve Smith was banned following his involvement in the ball tampering scandal during the third Test in Cape Town.&nbsp</p>


The new skipper top-scored for Australia with 62 off 96 balls

Skipper Tim Paine batted splendidly with a stress fracture on his thumb as scandal-hit Australia showed some much-needed fight in the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg on Sunday. The new skipper top-scored for Australia with 62 off 96 balls before being caught by a diving Dean Elgar in the deep off Kagiso Rabada. In reply to South Africa's first innings total of 488 all out, Australia were bundled out for 221 runs. The new Australian captain was in immense pain and was assisted by team's physiotherapist. Despite suffering a hairline fracture, Paine resumed batting on Day 3. The fourth Test also saw Australian fast bowler Morne Morkel suffer a side strain. Morkel left the field after bowling two balls of his 13th over during the morning session. Apart from Paine, Usman Khawaja (53) and Pat Cummins (50) chipped in with valuable runs for the visiting team. Paine was handed the captaincy after former skipper Steve Smith was banned following his involvement in the ball tampering scandal during the third Test in Cape Town.

Australia vs South Africa: Paine hits 62 despite suffering hairline fracture in right thumb

<p>Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock frustrated Australia as South Africa continued to build an imposing first innings total on the second day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium today.</p>

<p>South Africa were 400 for seven at lunch, with Bavuma on 61 not out.</p>

<p>Bavuma and De Kock (39) put on 85 for the seventh wicket - the fifth partnership of 50 or more in the innings.</p>

<p>The score has put the Proteas in a strong position in a match which the hosts need only to draw to clinch their first home series win against Australia since 1969/70.&nbsp</p>

<p>South Africa lead the series 2-1.</p>

<p>Bavuma scored only four runs off the first 49 balls he faced on Saturday but then added another 21 runs off 21 balls to reach his fifty off 120 deliveries.</p>

<p>Australia are reeling from the ball-tampering scandal which resulted in captain Steve Smith and two other players being banned and banished in last weekend's third Test in Cape Town.&nbsp</p>


Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock frustrated Australia as South Africa continued to build an imposing first innings total on the second day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium today. South Africa were 400 for seven at lunch, with Bavuma on 61 not out. Bavuma and De Kock (39) put on 85 for the seventh wicket - the fifth partnership of 50 or more in the innings. The score has put the Proteas in a strong position in a match which the hosts need only to draw to clinch their first home series win against Australia since 1969/70. South Africa lead the series 2-1. Bavuma scored only four runs off the first 49 balls he faced on Saturday but then added another 21 runs off 21 balls to reach his fifty off 120 deliveries. Australia are reeling from the ball-tampering scandal which resulted in captain Steve Smith and two other players being banned and banished in last weekend's third Test in Cape Town.

Bavuma guides South Africa past 400 at lunch

<p>Aiden Markram on Friday smashed an unbeaten ton as South Africa took the morning honours against a changed Australia.</p>

<p>The Proteas were 88 for one at lunch on the opening day of the fourth and final test.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Australia, reeling from their ball-tampering scandal and led by new captain Tim Paine, made four changes, including a debut for seamer Chadd Sayers.</p>

<p>Markram (53) and Hashim Amla (13) at lunch, will look to set up a &nbsp;sizeable total on a wicket that is already taking turn and showing widening cracks as they seek a first home series win over Australia in almost 50 years.</p>

<p>Dean Elgar (19) was the only success for the labouring touring side, and his mode of dismissal was a familiar one, the third time in the series he was caught off a leading edge from the bowling of Nathan Lyon.</p>

<p>The spinner had taken the first two catches himself, but this time the ball was snatched at mid-off by Sayers.</p>

<p>Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and opener Cameron Bancroft were handed heavy bans and sent home for a ball-tampering plot in the third test in Cape Town.</p>

<p>The trio have been replaced in the side by Joe Burns, Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscombe, while Paine captains the side for the first time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fast bowler Mitchell Starc has a fracture in his leg and was replaced by Sayers.</p>

<p>South Africa, 2-1 up in the series, are unchanged with fast bowler Morne Morkel playing his final test match before he retires from international cricket.&nbsp;</p>


Aiden Markram on Friday smashed an unbeaten ton as South Africa took the morning honours against a changed Australia. The Proteas were 88 for one at lunch on the opening day of the fourth and final test. Australia, reeling from their ball-tampering scandal and led by new captain Tim Paine, made four changes, including a debut for seamer Chadd Sayers. Markram (53) and Hashim Amla (13) at lunch, will look to set up a sizeable total on a wicket that is already taking turn and showing widening cracks as they seek a first home series win over Australia in almost 50 years. Dean Elgar (19) was the only success for the labouring touring side, and his mode of dismissal was a familiar one, the third time in the series he was caught off a leading edge from the bowling of Nathan Lyon. The spinner had taken the first two catches himself, but this time the ball was snatched at mid-off by Sayers. Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and opener Cameron Bancroft were handed heavy bans and sent home for a ball-tampering plot in the third test in Cape Town. The trio have been replaced in the side by Joe Burns, Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscombe, while Paine captains the side for the first time. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc has a fracture in his leg and was replaced by Sayers. South Africa, 2-1 up in the series, are unchanged with fast bowler Morne Morkel playing his final test match before he retires from international cricket.

4th Test: Aiden Markram's century dominates Australia

<p>South Africa's Kevin Anderson once again failed to reach the last four of the Miami Open as he suffered a three-set defeat from Pablo Carreno Busta here on Friday.</p>

<p>The Spanish world number 19 prevailed over the South African 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 in a match which lasted for over two hours and 45 minutes.</p>

<p>The South African tennis ace and the current world No 8 was taking the Miami hardcourt for the 10th time but yet again failed to make it to the semi-finals of the event.</p>

<p>It was Anderson and Busta`s third meeting recently after the former defeated Busta in a final set tie-breaker earlier this month in Indian Wells and the US Open semi-finals last year.</p>

<p>"It was an amazing match, no&nbspI lost to him, 7-6 in the third set [at Indian Wells]. And today, well, at the beginning of the match I started playing really good, returning good, serving good, being very aggressive," Carreno Busta said post his win.</p>

<p>He added, "I am very happy with the victory because it`s very important to me... and also to be in the semi-finals in this tournament."Carreno Busta will now try to make his maiden Masters 1000 final when he takes on Germany`s Alexander Zverev who beat Borna Coric 6-4, 6-4.</p>


He suffered a three-set defeat from Pablo Carreno Busta

South Africa's Kevin Anderson once again failed to reach the last four of the Miami Open as he suffered a three-set defeat from Pablo Carreno Busta here on Friday. The Spanish world number 19 prevailed over the South African 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 in a match which lasted for over two hours and 45 minutes. The South African tennis ace and the current world No 8 was taking the Miami hardcourt for the 10th time but yet again failed to make it to the semi-finals of the event. It was Anderson and Busta`s third meeting recently after the former defeated Busta in a final set tie-breaker earlier this month in Indian Wells and the US Open semi-finals last year. "It was an amazing match, no&nbspI lost to him, 7-6 in the third set [at Indian Wells]. And today, well, at the beginning of the match I started playing really good, returning good, serving good, being very aggressive," Carreno Busta said post his win. He added, "I am very happy with the victory because it`s very important to me... and also to be in the semi-finals in this tournament."Carreno Busta will now try to make his maiden Masters 1000 final when he takes on Germany`s Alexander Zverev who beat Borna Coric 6-4, 6-4.

Kevin Anderson crashes out in Miami Open quarters

<p>South Africa captain Faf du Plessis on Friday won the toss and elected to bat in the 4th and final test against tainted Australia at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.</p>

<p>Th Proteas entered the ground with the same playing eleven as in the previous match, which witnessed many ups and downs, including the infamous ball-tampering scandal.</p>

<p>"We're looking to have a bat. It looks a little different to normal. A few cracks have started to appear and perhaps by the fourth day it should open up. It does definitely look browner and normally we do not even think of playing a spinner here. We've been extremely pumped ever since we lost the first Test and are aware that Australia will come back hard. No changes, we're playing the same eleven."</p>

<p>The match will be Morne Morkel‘s final Test of his cricketing career. Morkel had announced prior to the series that this would be his last as he wishes to focus on his family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For Australia, Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw, opening for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final earlier this week, replaced David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.</p>

<p>And Peter Handscomb was included in Steven Smith's No. 4 position.</p>

<p>Tim Paine became Australia's 46th Test captain after Smith stepped down for the position.</p>

<p>In addition, fast bowler Chadd Sayers was given a debut in Australia's only unforced change of the Test, in place of Mitchell Starc, who has tibial bone stress in his right leg.</p>

<p>Cricket Australia (CA) slapped former skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner with one year-ban each for tampering with the ball in the third Test.</p>

<p>South Africa: 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 Faf du Plessis (capt), 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Morne Morkel</p>

<p>Australia: 1 Joe Burns, 2 Matt Renshaw, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Peter Handscomb, 5 Shaun Marsh, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Tim Paine (capt, wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Chadd Sayers, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood</p>


Tim Paine became Australia's 46th Test captain

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis on Friday won the toss and elected to bat in the 4th and final test against tainted Australia at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Th Proteas entered the ground with the same playing eleven as in the previous match, which witnessed many ups and downs, including the infamous ball-tampering scandal. "We're looking to have a bat. It looks a little different to normal. A few cracks have started to appear and perhaps by the fourth day it should open up. It does definitely look browner and normally we do not even think of playing a spinner here. We've been extremely pumped ever since we lost the first Test and are aware that Australia will come back hard. No changes, we're playing the same eleven." The match will be Morne Morkel‘s final Test of his cricketing career. Morkel had announced prior to the series that this would be his last as he wishes to focus on his family. For Australia, Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw, opening for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final earlier this week, replaced David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. And Peter Handscomb was included in Steven Smith's No. 4 position. Tim Paine became Australia's 46th Test captain after Smith stepped down for the position. In addition, fast bowler Chadd Sayers was given a debut in Australia's only unforced change of the Test, in place of Mitchell Starc, who has tibial bone stress in his right leg. Cricket Australia (CA) slapped former skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner with one year-ban each for tampering with the ball in the third Test. South Africa: 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 Faf du Plessis (capt), 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Morne Morkel Australia: 1 Joe Burns, 2 Matt Renshaw, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Peter Handscomb, 5 Shaun Marsh, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Tim Paine (capt, wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Chadd Sayers, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood

4th Test: South Africa win toss, opt to bat

<p>A hilarious rap video has gone viral on Twitter since the ball-tampering scandal has surfaced and baffled the cricket fraternity.</p>

<p>The lyrics in the video focuses on the ball-tampering incident that happened the in the third Test match of a four-match series between Australia and South Africa.</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Full credit to Australians back in Australia. <a href="https://t.co/DIhUXxuQrs">pic.twitter.com/DIhUXxuQrs</a></p>
— Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) <a href="https://twitter.com/followthebounce/status/978310671359205377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Australian fallen star skipper, Steve Smith admitted to altering the condition as batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught in the camera when he took out a yellow-colored sandpaper from his pocket and scrubbed on the ball to increase the roughness of one side of the ball.</p>

<p>Steve Smith has been trapped in a cyclone of controversies and was booed by the South African fans when he entered to play in the second innings. He scored only seven runs off twenty balls.</p>

<p>Smith along with former vice-captain, David Warner has been given one-year ban in the wake of ball-tampering controversy and&nbsp;Bancroft has been ruled out for 9 months.</p>

<p>After the Cricket Australia's report, BCCI also snubbed Smith and Warner from the upcoming edition of Indian&nbsp;Premier League.</p>


A hilarious rap video has gone viral on Twitter since the ball-tampering scandal has surfaced and baffled the cricket fraternity

A hilarious rap video has gone viral on Twitter since the ball-tampering scandal has surfaced and baffled the cricket fraternity. The lyrics in the video focuses on the ball-tampering incident that happened the in the third Test match of a four-match series between Australia and South Africa. Watch the video here: Full credit to Australians back in Australia. pic.twitter.com/DIhUXxuQrs — Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) March 26, 2018 × Australian fallen star skipper, Steve Smith admitted to altering the condition as batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught in the camera when he took out a yellow-colored sandpaper from his pocket and scrubbed on the ball to increase the roughness of one side of the ball. Steve Smith has been trapped in a cyclone of controversies and was booed by the South African fans when he entered to play in the second innings. He scored only seven runs off twenty balls. Smith along with former vice-captain, David Warner has been given one-year ban in the wake of ball-tampering controversy and Bancroft has been ruled out for 9 months. After the Cricket Australia's report, BCCI also snubbed Smith and Warner from the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League.

Watch: Now, rappers take a dig at Steve Smith & Co

<p>'Queensland' opener Matt Renshaw will fly to Johannesburg on Tuesday night to join the Australian squad which is currently reeling under the backlash of the ball-tampering scandal.&nbsp</p>

<p>The 21-year old, who&nbspwas dropped ahead of the Ashes series in favour of Cameron Bancroft, will fly for the final test against South Africa.</p>

<p>Bancroft is one of two players charged by the ICC for altering the condition of the ball using a foreign substance.</p>

<p>He copped three demerit points and a 75 per cent match fee deduction.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, former Australian skipper Steve Smith, who stepped down from his post following the controversy, has been suspended by the ICC for the fourth Test and a 100 per cent match fee deduction has been imposed.&nbsp</p>

<p>Further action is awaited from Cricket Australia with the board's CEO James Sutherland arriving in South Africa to assess the findings of an investigation conducted by Integrity officer Iain Roy.</p>

<p>Renshaw has been in tremendous touch after Christmas by posting three centuries in as many games to lead the Bulls into the Shield final.</p>


The 21-year old was dropped ahead of the Ashes series in favour of Cameron Bancroft

'Queensland' opener Matt Renshaw will fly to Johannesburg on Tuesday night to join the Australian squad which is currently reeling under the backlash of the ball-tampering scandal. The 21-year old, who&nbspwas dropped ahead of the Ashes series in favour of Cameron Bancroft, will fly for the final test against South Africa. Bancroft is one of two players charged by the ICC for altering the condition of the ball using a foreign substance. He copped three demerit points and a 75 per cent match fee deduction. Meanwhile, former Australian skipper Steve Smith, who stepped down from his post following the controversy, has been suspended by the ICC for the fourth Test and a 100 per cent match fee deduction has been imposed. Further action is awaited from Cricket Australia with the board's CEO James Sutherland arriving in South Africa to assess the findings of an investigation conducted by Integrity officer Iain Roy. Renshaw has been in tremendous touch after Christmas by posting three centuries in as many games to lead the Bulls into the Shield final.

Ball-tampering row: Matt Renshaw added to Australia squad for final Test against South Africa

<p>The ugliest side of Australian cricket was seen in the thirst Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday when Australian skipper admitted to&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/steve-smith-banned-for-one-test-fined-100-match-fee-icc-37030">altering the condition</a>&nbspof the ball.</p>

<p>Australian batsman&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/steve-smith-banned-for-one-test-fined-100-match-fee-icc-37030">Cameron Bancroft</a>&nbspwas caught in the camera when he took out a yellow-colored substance from his pocket and applied on the ball to increase the roughness of one side of the ball.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/steve-smith-banned-for-one-test-fined-100-match-fee-icc-37030">Steve Smith</a>&nbsphas been trapped in a cyclone of controversies and was booed by the South African fans when he entered to play in the second innings. He scored only seven runs off twenty balls.</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Aussies blatantly ball tampering? Let’s see what Steve Smith and the Boys have to say now <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneWarne</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BumbleCricket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BumbleCricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvsSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvsSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/aOsbW4Lh1K">pic.twitter.com/aOsbW4Lh1K</a></p>
— Shaylin Perumal (@AngryShaylin) <a href="https://twitter.com/AngryShaylin/status/977529362101735425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>For the deliberate intention of ball tampering, ICC has slapped Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft with a one-match ban and fined 75% of match fee.</p>

<p>In the wake of the ball-tampering controversy, Steve Smith had stepped down as the captain of the Australian cricket team also Vice-captain David Warner also agreed to step down from his position.</p>

<p>Steve Smith even&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2018-ajinkya-rahane-to-lead-rajasthan-after-smith-steps-down-as-captain-over-ball-tampering-admission-37120">quit as the captain of Rajasthan Royals</a>&nbspand the position is taken over by Ajinkya Rahane. Though, it is still not clear whether Smith will play as a player for Royals or not.</p>

<p>Smith was a part of the Rajasthan Royals in 2014 and 2015 and was the only player retained by the franchise.</p>


Steve Smith has been trapped in a cyclone of controversies and was booed by the South African fans when he entered to play in the second innings of 3rd Test match against South Africa

The ugliest side of Australian cricket was seen in the thirst Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday when Australian skipper admitted to altering the condition&nbspof the ball. Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft&nbspwas caught in the camera when he took out a yellow-colored substance from his pocket and applied on the ball to increase the roughness of one side of the ball. Steve Smith&nbsphas been trapped in a cyclone of controversies and was booed by the South African fans when he entered to play in the second innings. He scored only seven runs off twenty balls. Watch the video here: Aussies blatantly ball tampering? Let’s see what Steve Smith and the Boys have to say now @ShaneWarne @BumbleCricket #AUSvsSA pic.twitter.com/aOsbW4Lh1K — Shaylin Perumal (@AngryShaylin) March 24, 2018 × For the deliberate intention of ball tampering, ICC has slapped Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft with a one-match ban and fined 75% of match fee. In the wake of the ball-tampering controversy, Steve Smith had stepped down as the captain of the Australian cricket team also Vice-captain David Warner also agreed to step down from his position. Steve Smith even quit as the captain of Rajasthan Royals&nbspand the position is taken over by Ajinkya Rahane. Though, it is still not clear whether Smith will play as a player for Royals or not. Smith was a part of the Rajasthan Royals in 2014 and 2015 and was the only player retained by the franchise.

Watch: How Cameron Bancroft tampered the ball on Steve Smith's orders in 3rd Test against the Proteas

<p>Ali Bacher, the last South Africa skipper to win a series against Australia in the republic, says disgraced captain Steve Smith and his ball-tampering team are "incredibly stupid".</p>

<p>Bacher led South Africa to a 4-0 whitewash over Bobby Simpson-skippered Australia in the 1969-1970 season.</p>

<p>"In this age of a thousand cameras, it was stupid to even think of doing it (ball tampering), and incredibly stupid to go through with it," he told the South African media.</p>

<p>TV cameras caught Cameron Bancroft trying to change the condition of the ball last Saturday in Cape Town using a piece of grit-encrusted sticky tape during a Test won by South Africa.</p>

<p>Smith later admitted he hatched the plot to cheat with the unnamed "team leadership" and is now facing disciplinary action, possibly later Tuesday.</p>

<p>Reports say Smith and vice-captain David Warner could be banned for 12 months and sent home in disgrace.</p>

<p>"You have to put the blame on the captain and I believe Cricket Australia will think long and hard about taking it further than the one-Test ban Smith has already got," said Bacher.</p>

<p>"I feel sorry for Cameron Bancroft because he would have been acting under instructions. If the leader of the team says you must do that, what option do you really have?</p>

<p>"One thing that they (Cricket Australia) have always done is act immediately on things like this.</p>

<p>"You look back at Shane Warne, who had a brilliant cricket brain but never got the captaincy because of his misdemeanours.</p>

<p>"I would be surprised if Cricket Australia did not take this further," he said ahead of a planned media conference in Johannesburg hosted by Australian cricket boss James Sutherland.</p>

<p>South Africa lead the series 2-1 going into the final Test from Friday at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg.</p>

<p>&nbsp</p>


"I would be surprised if Cricket Australia did not take this further," says Ali Bacher

Ali Bacher, the last South Africa skipper to win a series against Australia in the republic, says disgraced captain Steve Smith and his ball-tampering team are "incredibly stupid". Bacher led South Africa to a 4-0 whitewash over Bobby Simpson-skippered Australia in the 1969-1970 season. "In this age of a thousand cameras, it was stupid to even think of doing it (ball tampering), and incredibly stupid to go through with it," he told the South African media. TV cameras caught Cameron Bancroft trying to change the condition of the ball last Saturday in Cape Town using a piece of grit-encrusted sticky tape during a Test won by South Africa. Smith later admitted he hatched the plot to cheat with the unnamed "team leadership" and is now facing disciplinary action, possibly later Tuesday. Reports say Smith and vice-captain David Warner could be banned for 12 months and sent home in disgrace. "You have to put the blame on the captain and I believe Cricket Australia will think long and hard about taking it further than the one-Test ban Smith has already got," said Bacher. "I feel sorry for Cameron Bancroft because he would have been acting under instructions. If the leader of the team says you must do that, what option do you really have? "One thing that they (Cricket Australia) have always done is act immediately on things like this. "You look back at Shane Warne, who had a brilliant cricket brain but never got the captaincy because of his misdemeanours. "I would be surprised if Cricket Australia did not take this further," he said ahead of a planned media conference in Johannesburg hosted by Australian cricket boss James Sutherland. South Africa lead the series 2-1 going into the final Test from Friday at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg.

Australia 'incredibly stupid' - ex-South Africa skipper Ali Bacher

<p>Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith on Monday criticised the punishment of one-match ban to former Australia skipper Steve Smith, describing the ICC’s punishment as too lenient.</p>

<p>“I think that they [ICC] had an opportunity to set a precedent here,” “I think it [Smith’s punishment] is too lenient," Graeme Smith said.&nbsp</p>

<p>“It’s something that he’s admitted and that he’s aware of and was a part of and that he planned to cheat. I felt the ICC had an opportunity and in my mind they haven’t dealt with it effectively.</p>

<p>Smith will miss the fourth and final Test against the Proteas after confessing that he was behind the ball-tampering scandal that has engulfed cricket.</p>

<p>Another player Cameron Bancroft, who received three demerit points and a 75 per cent fine of his match fee, was caught on camera rubbing the ball with yellow tape on day three of the third Test in Cape Town before Smith revealed the premeditated idea on Saturday.</p>

<p>“I know the ICC have stuck to the letter of their system but having captained before, the spirit of the game gets drummed down as a captain, and the ICC make a conscious effort before every series to make sure that as a leader you’re aware of that and it’s your responsibility."</p>

<p>Graeme stated that in many ways Cricket Australia have been firmer than the ICC.</p>

<p>Wicketkeeper Tim Paine was named captain on day four as the Australians were crushed by 322 runs on Sunday.</p>

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Smith will miss the fourth and final Test against the Proteas

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith on Monday criticised the punishment of one-match ban to former Australia skipper Steve Smith, describing the ICC’s punishment as too lenient. “I think that they [ICC] had an opportunity to set a precedent here,” “I think it [Smith’s punishment] is too lenient," Graeme Smith said. “It’s something that he’s admitted and that he’s aware of and was a part of and that he planned to cheat. I felt the ICC had an opportunity and in my mind they haven’t dealt with it effectively. Smith will miss the fourth and final Test against the Proteas after confessing that he was behind the ball-tampering scandal that has engulfed cricket. Another player Cameron Bancroft, who received three demerit points and a 75 per cent fine of his match fee, was caught on camera rubbing the ball with yellow tape on day three of the third Test in Cape Town before Smith revealed the premeditated idea on Saturday. “I know the ICC have stuck to the letter of their system but having captained before, the spirit of the game gets drummed down as a captain, and the ICC make a conscious effort before every series to make sure that as a leader you’re aware of that and it’s your responsibility." Graeme stated that in many ways Cricket Australia have been firmer than the ICC. Wicketkeeper Tim Paine was named captain on day four as the Australians were crushed by 322 runs on Sunday. Related Ball-tampering row: Matt Renshaw added to Australia squad for... Funny Twitter reactions on Steve Smith's ball-tampering scandal 1st Test: New Zealand beat England by innings and 49 runs Wasim Akram trains Pak's internet bowling sensation Hasan Akhtar

Steve Smith's punishment by ICC too lenient: Graeme Smith on ball-tampering row

<p>South Africa routed embattled Australia by 322 runs to win the third Test on a black day for the sport on Sunday which saw Australian skipper Steve Smith banned for ball-tampering.</p>

<p>Set 430 to win, Australia were skittled out for just 107 late on the fourth day at Newlands.</p>

<p>Smith stood down as captain for the remainder of the match earlier Sunday after admitting being the instigator of the ball-tampering plot which rocked cricket.</p>

<p>He was then handed a one-match ban by the ICC for his role in the scandal.</p>

<p>Brief scores:</p>

<p>South Africa 311 and 373 (A. Markram 84, A. de Villiers 63, Q. de Kock 65, V. Philander 52 not out; J. Hazlewood 3-69, P. Cummins 3-67, N. Lyon 3-102) v Australia 255 and 107 (D. Warner 32; M. Morkel 5-23).</p>

<p>Result: South Africa won by 322 runs</p>

<p>Series: South Africa lead the four-match series 2-1</p>

<p>Toss: South Africa</p>


South Africa routed embattled Australia by 322 runs to win the third Test on a black day for the sport on Sunday which saw Australian skipper Steve Smith banned for ball-tampering

South Africa routed embattled Australia by 322 runs to win the third Test on a black day for the sport on Sunday which saw Australian skipper Steve Smith banned for ball-tampering. Set 430 to win, Australia were skittled out for just 107 late on the fourth day at Newlands. Smith stood down as captain for the remainder of the match earlier Sunday after admitting being the instigator of the ball-tampering plot which rocked cricket. He was then handed a one-match ban by the ICC for his role in the scandal. Brief scores: South Africa 311 and 373 (A. Markram 84, A. de Villiers 63, Q. de Kock 65, V. Philander 52 not out; J. Hazlewood 3-69, P. Cummins 3-67, N. Lyon 3-102) v Australia 255 and 107 (D. Warner 32; M. Morkel 5-23). Result: South Africa won by 322 runs Series: South Africa lead the four-match series 2-1 Toss: South Africa

South Africa rout embattled Australia by 322 runs in third Test

<p>South Africa lost opener Dean Elgar before lunch but continued to drive home their advantage on the third day of the third Test against Australia on Saturday.</p>

<p>The hosts reached the interval on 65 for one in their second innings, a lead of 121.</p>

<p>After Elgar departed, Aiden Markram, 36, and Hashim Amla, 15, put on a patient partnership of 37 runs for the second wicket in gloomy conditions, and the pair will look to solidify South Africa&#39;s dominant position following the break.</p>

<p>Elgar, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 141 in the first innings, could not repeat that feat as he edged seamer Pat Cummins to Steve Smith at slip for 14.</p>

<p>Setting a target of anything over 250 will be a challenge for the Australians, though they did successfully chase down 331 at Newlands in 2002, but on a much more placid surface and with a more experienced top seven.</p>

<p>South Africa had earlier wrapped up Australia&#39;s first innings when Kagiso Rabada (4-91) had final man Josh Hazlewood (10) caught by Hashim Amla at first slip.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The four-match series is poised at 1-1, with the final Test to be played in Johannesburg starting on Friday.</p>


The hosts reached the interval on 65 for one in their second innings, a lead of 121

South Africa lost opener Dean Elgar before lunch but continued to drive home their advantage on the third day of the third Test against Australia on Saturday. The hosts reached the interval on 65 for one in their second innings, a lead of 121. After Elgar departed, Aiden Markram, 36, and Hashim Amla, 15, put on a patient partnership of 37 runs for the second wicket in gloomy conditions, and the pair will look to solidify South Africa's dominant position following the break. Elgar, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 141 in the first innings, could not repeat that feat as he edged seamer Pat Cummins to Steve Smith at slip for 14. Setting a target of anything over 250 will be a challenge for the Australians, though they did successfully chase down 331 at Newlands in 2002, but on a much more placid surface and with a more experienced top seven. South Africa had earlier wrapped up Australia's first innings when Kagiso Rabada (4-91) had final man Josh Hazlewood (10) caught by Hashim Amla at first slip. The four-match series is poised at 1-1, with the final Test to be played in Johannesburg starting on Friday.

3rd Test: South Africa extend advantage despite loss of Elgar

<p>By <strong>James Hamill</strong>*</p>

<p>The latest instalment in South Africa&rsquo;s longest running political soap opera played out dramatically on 16 March when Shaun Abrahams, the head of South Africa&rsquo;s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), announced that 16 criminal charges against former president Jacob Zuma must stand and be tested in court.</p>

<p>The charges relate to 783 counts of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering. The charges were controversially dropped in 2009 but reinstated by the country&rsquo;s High Court in 2016. The Supreme Court of Appeal went on to uphold this judgment in 2017.</p>

<p>This is merely one instalment in a drama that may still have some years to run. It can be traced back to the sleaze and kickbacks surrounding the arms procurement package of the late 1990s. The allegations were that Zuma was a beneficiary of largesse from certain arms companies in exchange for exerting his influence on their behalf.</p>

<p>The Abrahams decision &ndash; made despite opposition fears that, as a Zuma appointee, he might flinch from the challenge - is of enormous significance. A former president is now likely to find himself in the dock at a criminal trial, an unprecedented event in South African history.<br />
A different political atmosphere</p>

<p>Looking beyond the groundbreaking historical nature of the decision and its implications for Zuma personally, it seems unlikely that Abrahams&rsquo; decision will generate the same passions as the issue did in the 2007-2009 period. At that point Zuma&rsquo;s standing in the ANC alliance was at an all time high and attempts to prosecute him for corruption were viewed as part of a wider &lsquo;dirty tricks&rsquo; campaign to sabotage his rise to the presidencies of both party and state. This included the Thabo Mbeki camp inside the ANC and others outside the party.</p>

<p>His 2006 rape trial had been viewed in similar terms by his staunchest backers such as then ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, who subsequently, and rather shamelessly, would reinvent himself as Zuma&rsquo;s chief critic.</p>

<p>Pro-Zuma sentiment was particularly strong on the left of the ANC-led alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party uncritically and unconditionally buying into the mythology around Zuma . They viewed his presidency as an opportunity to engineer a leftwards shift in South Africa&rsquo;s general political direction after the supposed &lsquo;neo-liberalism&rsquo; of the Mbeki years.</p>

<p>Now, in 2018, the left is older and wiser. In the aftermath of a scandal ridden presidency disfigured by endemic corruption and allegations of state capture by private interests close to Zuma, the trade union federation and the Communist Party are more likely to support his prosecution than contest it.</p>

<p>Equally, the broader politics of the issue are now less highly charged. In 2009, Zuma was the president-in-waiting. There was limited enthusiasm, even among his many critics in the movement, to see a South African president inaugurated who faced the realistic prospect of a criminal trial in the foreseeable future. It was felt this would provide a fatal distraction from the responsibilities of government.</p>

<p>As it turned out, he was fatally distracted from those responsibilities anyway by a succession of new scandals which arrived with alarming frequency to paralyse his presidency. These included Nkandla (2013/2014), Nenegate (December 2015), the sacking of Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan (March 2017), and the various state capture reports of 2016/17.</p>

<p>While prosecutors technically make their decisions on narrow legal grounds, one should not assume they are entirely insulated from broader political and societal pressures in their decision making. Now, however, Zuma is merely a former president and an ANC member. Consequently, the protective shield previously extended by the governing party will not be there. And, given the other scandals mentioned above and with a new leader in place, he may only be able to draw on very modest support from within the ANC&rsquo;s ranks.<br />
The double-edged sword</p>

<p>Zuma&rsquo;s proposed prosecution is a welcome reaffirmation of the principle that all are equal before the law. But a trial carries with it very real dangers for the ANC.</p>

<p>First, it will serve to remind a wider South African audience that Zuma did not emerge in a vacuum. He is a product of the ANC. The party elected him twice as its president and, before recalling him in February 2017, rallied round him during the Nkandla saga and in numerous parliamentary votes of no-confidence. Its own National Executive Committee also rejected demands for his recall on several occasions. It will be difficult if not impossible for the ANC to avoid some collateral damage as it was unquestionably the chief facilitator and enabler of that discredited era.</p>

<p>Second, there is always the risk that a trial will see the movement&rsquo;s dirty laundry being aired in public by Zuma. This will be particularly true if he believes his fate is sealed, taking the opportunity for a wider settling of scores with others in the ANC. The trial could then become an endurance test for the ANC and a propaganda windfall for its opponents reminding South Africans in graphic detail of the looting and embezzlement over which the movement has presided.</p>

<p>Ramaphosa will hope that Zuma&rsquo;s lawyers revisit their earlier so-called &lsquo;Stalingrad strategy&rsquo; of delays and prevarication so that when it finally commences it does so after &ndash; and not before &ndash; the 2019 election. On past evidence there are likely to be numerous attempts by his lawyers to actually prevent the case from ever coming to court.</p>

<p>For the trial to take place in the run up to, and during that election campaign, would be extremely unwelcome for the new leadership. It will blunt the Ramaphosa message that he is &lsquo;purifying&rsquo; the movement, restoring its traditional values, and seeking closure on a discredited era.</p>

<p>Moreover, even in the aftermath of an election, the issue will return to the top of Ramaphosa&rsquo;s agenda if Zuma is eventually found guilty. The question of granting or not granting him a pardon will then arise. This will test the credentials of a leader supposedly making a definitive break with a sordid past.</p>

<p>It is also possible that further charges could be brought against Zuma once the whole state capture phenomenon is laid bare by an official commission of inquiry headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. The state capture saga makes the existing charges against Zuma look insubstantial by comparison.</p>

<p>Zuma&rsquo;s presidency may be over, but his toxic legacy seems likely to haunt the ANC &ndash; and through it South Africa - for some considerable time yet.</p>

<p>*James Hamill is lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Leicester.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


Zuma’s proposed prosecution is a welcome reaffirmation of the principle that all are equal before the law. But a trial carries with it very real dangers for the ANC.

By James Hamill* The latest instalment in South Africa’s longest running political soap opera played out dramatically on 16 March when Shaun Abrahams, the head of South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), announced that 16 criminal charges against former president Jacob Zuma must stand and be tested in court. The charges relate to 783 counts of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering. The charges were controversially dropped in 2009 but reinstated by the country’s High Court in 2016. The Supreme Court of Appeal went on to uphold this judgment in 2017. This is merely one instalment in a drama that may still have some years to run. It can be traced back to the sleaze and kickbacks surrounding the arms procurement package of the late 1990s. The allegations were that Zuma was a beneficiary of largesse from certain arms companies in exchange for exerting his influence on their behalf. The Abrahams decision – made despite opposition fears that, as a Zuma appointee, he might flinch from the challenge - is of enormous significance. A former president is now likely to find himself in the dock at a criminal trial, an unprecedented event in South African history. A different political atmosphere Looking beyond the groundbreaking historical nature of the decision and its implications for Zuma personally, it seems unlikely that Abrahams’ decision will generate the same passions as the issue did in the 2007-2009 period. At that point Zuma’s standing in the ANC alliance was at an all time high and attempts to prosecute him for corruption were viewed as part of a wider ‘dirty tricks’ campaign to sabotage his rise to the presidencies of both party and state. This included the Thabo Mbeki camp inside the ANC and others outside the party. His 2006 rape trial had been viewed in similar terms by his staunchest backers such as then ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, who subsequently, and rather shamelessly, would reinvent himself as Zuma’s chief critic. Pro-Zuma sentiment was particularly strong on the left of the ANC-led alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party uncritically and unconditionally buying into the mythology around Zuma . They viewed his presidency as an opportunity to engineer a leftwards shift in South Africa’s general political direction after the supposed ‘neo-liberalism’ of the Mbeki years. Now, in 2018, the left is older and wiser. In the aftermath of a scandal ridden presidency disfigured by endemic corruption and allegations of state capture by private interests close to Zuma, the trade union federation and the Communist Party are more likely to support his prosecution than contest it. Equally, the broader politics of the issue are now less highly charged. In 2009, Zuma was the president-in-waiting. There was limited enthusiasm, even among his many critics in the movement, to see a South African president inaugurated who faced the realistic prospect of a criminal trial in the foreseeable future. It was felt this would provide a fatal distraction from the responsibilities of government. As it turned out, he was fatally distracted from those responsibilities anyway by a succession of new scandals which arrived with alarming frequency to paralyse his presidency. These included Nkandla (2013/2014), Nenegate (December 2015), the sacking of Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan (March 2017), and the various state capture reports of 2016/17. While prosecutors technically make their decisions on narrow legal grounds, one should not assume they are entirely insulated from broader political and societal pressures in their decision making. Now, however, Zuma is merely a former president and an ANC member. Consequently, the protective shield previously extended by the governing party will not be there. And, given the other scandals mentioned above and with a new leader in place, he may only be able to draw on very modest support from within the ANC’s ranks. The double-edged sword Zuma’s proposed prosecution is a welcome reaffirmation of the principle that all are equal before the law. But a trial carries with it very real dangers for the ANC. First, it will serve to remind a wider South African audience that Zuma did not emerge in a vacuum. He is a product of the ANC. The party elected him twice as its president and, before recalling him in February 2017, rallied round him during the Nkandla saga and in numerous parliamentary votes of no-confidence. Its own National Executive Committee also rejected demands for his recall on several occasions. It will be difficult if not impossible for the ANC to avoid some collateral damage as it was unquestionably the chief facilitator and enabler of that discredited era. Second, there is always the risk that a trial will see the movement’s dirty laundry being aired in public by Zuma. This will be particularly true if he believes his fate is sealed, taking the opportunity for a wider settling of scores with others in the ANC. The trial could then become an endurance test for the ANC and a propaganda windfall for its opponents reminding South Africans in graphic detail of the looting and embezzlement over which the movement has presided. Ramaphosa will hope that Zuma’s lawyers revisit their earlier so-called ‘Stalingrad strategy’ of delays and prevarication so that when it finally commences it does so after – and not before – the 2019 election. On past evidence there are likely to be numerous attempts by his lawyers to actually prevent the case from ever coming to court. For the trial to take place in the run up to, and during that election campaign, would be extremely unwelcome for the new leadership. It will blunt the Ramaphosa message that he is ‘purifying’ the movement, restoring its traditional values, and seeking closure on a discredited era. Moreover, even in the aftermath of an election, the issue will return to the top of Ramaphosa’s agenda if Zuma is eventually found guilty. The question of granting or not granting him a pardon will then arise. This will test the credentials of a leader supposedly making a definitive break with a sordid past. It is also possible that further charges could be brought against Zuma once the whole state capture phenomenon is laid bare by an official commission of inquiry headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. The state capture saga makes the existing charges against Zuma look insubstantial by comparison. Zuma’s presidency may be over, but his toxic legacy seems likely to haunt the ANC – and through it South Africa - for some considerable time yet. *James Hamill is lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Leicester. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Zuma trial means that his toxic legacy will haunt South Africa for some time

<p>South African pacer Morne Morkel took his 300th Test wicket to break a promising Australian partnership on the second day of the third Test at Newlands on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Aussies were 150 for the loss of five wickets at tea in reply to South Africa&#39;s 311 runs in their first innings.</p>

<p>Morkel, who announced to retire from international cricket after the series, took three of the first four Australian wickets to fall.</p>

<p>With the record, he became the fifth South African to join the 300 club.</p>

<p>Morkel dismissed Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith in his first spell, then came back to break a 78-run stand between Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh when Marsh flashed at a wide ball and was caught behind.</p>

<p>33-year-old Morkel was playing in his 85th Test and became the 32nd bowler in the world to achieve the feat.</p>

<p>Earlier, Kagiso Rabada was hit for five boundaries in a row by David Warner but won a duel with the Australian opening batsman when he sent Warner&#39;s off stump cartwheeling.</p>

<p>Warner was bowled for 30. He hit three fours off the last three balls of Rabada&#39;s second over, then hooked the first ball of Rabada&#39;s next over for six.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He sliced a no-ball for four, then was bowled by a ball which went between bat and pad with Warner stuck on his crease.</p>

<p>Rabada, who had a two-match ban for making contact with Australian captain Steve Smith overturned before the Test, ran down the wicket to celebrate but did not go near the batsman.</p>

<p>But Warner appeared to react to a comment from a spectator in the members&#39; pavilion, stopping and turning as he climbed the steps to the dressing room.</p>

<p>South African opening batsman Dean Elgar equalled a world record when he carried his bat through a completed innings for the third time.</p>

<p>Elgar finished unbeaten on 141. Only Desmond Haynes of the West Indies had previously batted through a Test innings on three occasions.</p>

<p>Elgar and Rabada frustrated the Australians for 50 minutes as they took South Africa&#39;s overnight total from 266 for eight. They shared a partnership of 50 before off-spinner Nathan Lyon had Rabada caught by Smith at slip for 22 off his first ball of the day.</p>

<p>Elgar batted for 434 minutes, faced 284 balls and hit 20 fours and a six.</p>


33-year-old Morkel was playing in his 85th Test

South African pacer Morne Morkel took his 300th Test wicket to break a promising Australian partnership on the second day of the third Test at Newlands on Friday. Aussies were 150 for the loss of five wickets at tea in reply to South Africa's 311 runs in their first innings. Morkel, who announced to retire from international cricket after the series, took three of the first four Australian wickets to fall. With the record, he became the fifth South African to join the 300 club. Morkel dismissed Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith in his first spell, then came back to break a 78-run stand between Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh when Marsh flashed at a wide ball and was caught behind. 33-year-old Morkel was playing in his 85th Test and became the 32nd bowler in the world to achieve the feat. Earlier, Kagiso Rabada was hit for five boundaries in a row by David Warner but won a duel with the Australian opening batsman when he sent Warner's off stump cartwheeling. Warner was bowled for 30. He hit three fours off the last three balls of Rabada's second over, then hooked the first ball of Rabada's next over for six. He sliced a no-ball for four, then was bowled by a ball which went between bat and pad with Warner stuck on his crease. Rabada, who had a two-match ban for making contact with Australian captain Steve Smith overturned before the Test, ran down the wicket to celebrate but did not go near the batsman. But Warner appeared to react to a comment from a spectator in the members' pavilion, stopping and turning as he climbed the steps to the dressing room. South African opening batsman Dean Elgar equalled a world record when he carried his bat through a completed innings for the third time. Elgar finished unbeaten on 141. Only Desmond Haynes of the West Indies had previously batted through a Test innings on three occasions. Elgar and Rabada frustrated the Australians for 50 minutes as they took South Africa's overnight total from 266 for eight. They shared a partnership of 50 before off-spinner Nathan Lyon had Rabada caught by Smith at slip for 22 off his first ball of the day. Elgar batted for 434 minutes, faced 284 balls and hit 20 fours and a six.

Morne Morkel's 300th wicket jolts Australia

<p>Australian captain Steve Smith has criticised the decision to overturn a ban on South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for making physical contact with him.</p>

<p>Smith said ahead of Wednesday&#39;s pre-Test press conference that a &quot;line in the sand&quot; had been drawn regarding physical contact and said he was surprised he had not been asked his opinion during the appeal hearing.</p>

<p>Having been banned for the remaining two Tests in the series for brushing against Smith&#39;s shoulder after taking his wicket in the second Test, Rabada was cleared to play in the third Test starting Thursday after a successful appeal.</p>

<p>Australia spin bowler Nathan Lyon had said the team had &quot;no dramas&quot; with the decision, but Smith has told cricket.com.au website: &quot;I certainly think he (Rabada) bumped me a little bit harder than it actually looked on the footage.&quot;</p>

<p>Although Smith claimed &quot;it didn&rsquo;t bother me too much,&quot; he went on to say, &quot;they&rsquo;ve obviously decided what&rsquo;s deliberate contact and what&rsquo;s not and apparently it wasn&rsquo;t.</p>

<p>&quot;The ICC have set the standard, haven&#39;t they? There was clearly contact out in the middle.</p>

<p>&quot;I certainly won&#39;t be telling my bowlers to go out there and after you take a wicket go and get in their space. I don&#39;t think that is on and part of the game. But the standard has been set.&quot;</p>

<p>Rabada was initially given three demerit points for the incident in Port Elizabeth by match referee Jeff Crowe, triggering an automatic two-Test ban.</p>

<p>But judicial commissioner Michael Heron said he was not completely satisfied that the contact was deliberate and reduced the charge to acting against the spirit of the game, imposing a one-point penalty, which took Rabada one point below the threshold for the ban.</p>

<p>He will, therefore, line up for South Africa as they seek the edge in a series tied at one match apiece.</p>

<p>Smith said it was &quot;interesting&quot; he had not been asked for his version of events and said Crowe had reason to be annoyed about his judgement being questioned.</p>

<p>&quot;The way he handled both sides throughout the two Test matches, I thought he did a terrific job. I&#39;d be feeling a bit annoyed if I was him, to be perfectly honest.&quot;</p>

<p>Smith said he and senior Australia players Lyon and David Warner had spoken to incoming match referee Andy Pycroft, who will handle the remaining two Tests of what has been an often bad-tempered series.</p>

<p>He said the referee would also speak to South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis &quot;just to ensure that the series is continued to play in pretty good spirit.&quot;</p>


Australian skipper Steve Smith said that he was surprised because he had not been asked his opinion during the appeal hearing

Australian captain Steve Smith has criticised the decision to overturn a ban on South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for making physical contact with him. Smith said ahead of Wednesday's pre-Test press conference that a "line in the sand" had been drawn regarding physical contact and said he was surprised he had not been asked his opinion during the appeal hearing. Having been banned for the remaining two Tests in the series for brushing against Smith's shoulder after taking his wicket in the second Test, Rabada was cleared to play in the third Test starting Thursday after a successful appeal. Australia spin bowler Nathan Lyon had said the team had "no dramas" with the decision, but Smith has told cricket.com.au website: "I certainly think he (Rabada) bumped me a little bit harder than it actually looked on the footage." Although Smith claimed "it didn’t bother me too much," he went on to say, "they’ve obviously decided what’s deliberate contact and what’s not and apparently it wasn’t. "The ICC have set the standard, haven't they? There was clearly contact out in the middle. "I certainly won't be telling my bowlers to go out there and after you take a wicket go and get in their space. I don't think that is on and part of the game. But the standard has been set." Rabada was initially given three demerit points for the incident in Port Elizabeth by match referee Jeff Crowe, triggering an automatic two-Test ban. But judicial commissioner Michael Heron said he was not completely satisfied that the contact was deliberate and reduced the charge to acting against the spirit of the game, imposing a one-point penalty, which took Rabada one point below the threshold for the ban. He will, therefore, line up for South Africa as they seek the edge in a series tied at one match apiece. Smith said it was "interesting" he had not been asked for his version of events and said Crowe had reason to be annoyed about his judgement being questioned. "The way he handled both sides throughout the two Test matches, I thought he did a terrific job. I'd be feeling a bit annoyed if I was him, to be perfectly honest." Smith said he and senior Australia players Lyon and David Warner had spoken to incoming match referee Andy Pycroft, who will handle the remaining two Tests of what has been an often bad-tempered series. He said the referee would also speak to South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis "just to ensure that the series is continued to play in pretty good spirit."

Steve Smith criticises ICC on Rabada ruling

<p>New Zealand judicial commissioner Michael Heron has declared Kagiso Rabada as not guilty of level two offence, though, was imposed with&nbsp;a sanction of a fine of 25% of his match fee and will receive one demerit point.</p>

<p>Kagiso Rabada had faced a level two charge by the match referee Jeff Crowe in the second match due to the incident when Rabada made a shoulder contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after sending him off.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BREAKING: Rabada cleared to play next <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> Test!<br />
<br />
However, he still gets a fine and one demerit point.<br />
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➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Doji6J7CFl">https://t.co/Doji6J7CFl</a> <a href="https://t.co/CLUrqTmcmo">pic.twitter.com/CLUrqTmcmo</a></p>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/976001995940114432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: &quot;The ICC wholly accepts today&rsquo;s decision and I would like to thank Mr. Heron for overseeing the hearing in a short time frame before the next Test starts in South Africa.</p>

<p>Rabada contested the ban saying that the incident was accidental and had appealed against the ban. The appeal was heard by New Zealand judicial commissioner Michael Heron by teleconference on Monday in which he was found &quot;not guilty&quot; but he still he still gets a fine and one demerit point.</p>

<p>The South African management was confident and had already put Rabada&#39;s name in the 17-man squad for the test that starts at Newlands on Thursday at St George&#39;s Park, Port Elizabeth.</p>

<p><strong>South African squad:</strong></p>

<p>Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and <strong>Kagiso Rabada.</strong></p>


South African was confident and had already put Rabada's name in the 17-man squad for the test that starts at Newlands on Thursday

New Zealand judicial commissioner Michael Heron has declared Kagiso Rabada as not guilty of level two offence, though, was imposed with a sanction of a fine of 25% of his match fee and will receive one demerit point. Kagiso Rabada had faced a level two charge by the match referee Jeff Crowe in the second match due to the incident when Rabada made a shoulder contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after sending him off. BREAKING: Rabada cleared to play next #SAvAUS Test! However, he still gets a fine and one demerit point. ➡️ https://t.co/Doji6J7CFl pic.twitter.com/CLUrqTmcmo — ICC (@ICC) March 20, 2018 × ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: "The ICC wholly accepts today’s decision and I would like to thank Mr. Heron for overseeing the hearing in a short time frame before the next Test starts in South Africa. Rabada contested the ban saying that the incident was accidental and had appealed against the ban. The appeal was heard by New Zealand judicial commissioner Michael Heron by teleconference on Monday in which he was found "not guilty" but he still he still gets a fine and one demerit point. The South African management was confident and had already put Rabada's name in the 17-man squad for the test that starts at Newlands on Thursday at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth. South African squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.

Kagiso Rabada 'not guilty' of level 2 offence, available for next match

<p>Australia is currently on the tour of South Africa to play a four-match Test series.</p>

<p>Australia won the first match took the lead but South Africa levelled the series 1-1 by winning the second Test match.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/kagiso-rabada-faces-suspension-for-disrespecting-steve-smith-35308">Kagiso Rabada</a>&nbsp;had faced a level two charge by the match referee Jeff Crowe in the second match due to the incident when Rabada made a shoulder contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after sending him off.</p>

<p>Rabada earned <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/kagiso-rabada-faces-suspension-for-disrespecting-steve-smith-35308">3 demerit points</a>&nbsp;which took him to the eight-point threshold which triggers an automatic two-match ban which Rabada is contesting currently.</p>

<p>His&nbsp;appeal against a&nbsp;ban for the last two Tests of the series will be heard by New Zealand judicial commissioner Michael Heron by teleconference on Monday, with a verdict due to be announced within 48 hours.</p>

<p>The third Test match is scheduled to take place from March 22 at St George&#39;s Park, Port Elizabeth for which&nbsp;South Africa has announced its squad&nbsp;list in which Kagiso Rabada has been included along with two other fast bowlers&nbsp;in case he loses his appeal against a ban.</p>

<p>Duanne Olivier and Chris Morris have been included in a 17-man squad for the test that starts at Newlands on Thursday.</p>

<p><strong>South African squad:</strong></p>

<p>Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and <strong>Kagiso Rabada</strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Duanne Olivier and Chris Morris have been included in a 17-man squad in case Kagiso Rabada loses his appeal against a ban

Australia is currently on the tour of South Africa to play a four-match Test series. Australia won the first match took the lead but South Africa levelled the series 1-1 by winning the second Test match. Kagiso Rabada had faced a level two charge by the match referee Jeff Crowe in the second match due to the incident when Rabada made a shoulder contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after sending him off. Rabada earned 3 demerit points which took him to the eight-point threshold which triggers an automatic two-match ban which Rabada is contesting currently. His appeal against a ban for the last two Tests of the series will be heard by New Zealand judicial commissioner Michael Heron by teleconference on Monday, with a verdict due to be announced within 48 hours. The third Test match is scheduled to take place from March 22 at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth for which South Africa has announced its squad list in which Kagiso Rabada has been included along with two other fast bowlers in case he loses his appeal against a ban. Duanne Olivier and Chris Morris have been included in a 17-man squad for the test that starts at Newlands on Thursday. South African squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada

Despite ban, Kagiso Rabada named in South Africa's squad against Australia

<p>Former South African president Jacob Zuma will face prosecution on corruption charges that haunted much of his term in office, the country&#39;s chief prosecutor said Friday.</p>

<p>The ruling is the latest twist in a case that has dogged post-apartheid South Africa&#39;s democratic leadership after the country inked a $5-billion (4.2-billion-euro) arms deal in the 1990s.</p>

<p>&quot;After consideration of the matter I am of the view there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment,&quot; said National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams at a media briefing in Pretoria.</p>

<p>Zuma will face racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud charges -- all of which can carry lengthy custodial sentences on conviction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I am of the view that a trial court would be the most appropriate forum for these issues to be ventilated and to be decided upon,&quot; said Abrahams.</p>

<p>The former president could now appeal the ruling on a number of grounds and argue that the decision is illegitimate as Abrahams&#39; own position is uncertain.</p>

<p>In December, the High Court in Pretoria ordered then-deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to replace Abrahams, ruling that Zuma&#39;s original decision to appoint him was &quot;null and void&quot; because he was &quot;conflicted&quot; at the time.</p>

<p>&quot;Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done -- I am mindful that everyone is equal before the law,&quot; said Abrahams, who noted that &quot;Mr Zuma disputes all allegations against him&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t think Zuma can stay out of court -- there&#39;s too many charges hanging over him,&quot; independent political analyst and author Nomavenda Mathiane told AFP ahead of the announcement.</p>

<p>Abrahams said that his department&#39;s representatives in Zuma&#39;s home region of KwaZulu-Natal &quot;will facilitate the necessary processes for Mr Zuma and his co-accused to appear in court&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last year, a court ruled against a decision by prosecutors in 2009 to drop the corruption charges against Zuma just months before he became president, laying the path to Friday&#39;s announcement.</p>

<p>Zuma&#39;s criminal charges relate to an arms procurement deals struck by the government in the late 1990s and from which he is accused of profiting corruptly to the tune of four million rand ($345,000, 280,000 euros).</p>

<p>State prosecutors previously justified dropping the case by saying that tapped phone calls between officials in then-president Thabo Mbeki&#39;s administration showed undue interference.</p>

<p>Zuma and other officials were accused of taking kickbacks from the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms manufactured by five European firms, including British military equipment maker BAE Systems and French company Thales.</p>

<p>In 2005 Zuma&#39;s former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted for facilitating bribes over the contracts and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was later released on medical parole.</p>

<p>Zuma resigned as president last month after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party threatened to remove him from office.</p>

<p>The ANC noted Friday&#39;s decision and called in a statement for &quot;Comrade Zacob Zuma to be presumed innocent until, and if, proven guilty&quot;.</p>

<p>The AfriForum campaign group, which has railed against corruption in South Africa&#39;s democratic era, had threatened to privately prosecute Zuma if the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) did not.</p>

<p>&quot;The NPA&#39;s decision to prosecute Zuma (is) not only a victory for AfriForum, but also for the principle of equality before the law,&quot; said the group&#39;s chief executive Kallie Kriel.</p>

<p>In addition to the corruption scandals that dogged his time in office, Zuma had been under fire for his handling of the economy, which has been battered by falling economic growth and record unemployment.</p>

<p>The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party has campaigned since 2009 to reactivate the charges.</p>

<p>&quot;It doesn&#39;t matter who you are, whether you are the president, in whatever office you hold, accountability must be effective and justice will be met,&quot; said DA leader Mmusi Maimane.</p>

<p>&quot;He must have his day in court... We will see him in orange overalls.&quot;</p>

<p>Zuma&#39;s successor Ramaphosa has vowed to tackle corruption, admitting it was a major problem in the previous government.</p>


The ruling is the latest twist in a case that has dogged post-apartheid South Africa's democratic leadership after the country inked a $5-billion (4.2-billion-euro) arms deal in the 1990s

Former South African president Jacob Zuma will face prosecution on corruption charges that haunted much of his term in office, the country's chief prosecutor said Friday. The ruling is the latest twist in a case that has dogged post-apartheid South Africa's democratic leadership after the country inked a $5-billion (4.2-billion-euro) arms deal in the 1990s. "After consideration of the matter I am of the view there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," said National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams at a media briefing in Pretoria. Zuma will face racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud charges -- all of which can carry lengthy custodial sentences on conviction. "I am of the view that a trial court would be the most appropriate forum for these issues to be ventilated and to be decided upon," said Abrahams. The former president could now appeal the ruling on a number of grounds and argue that the decision is illegitimate as Abrahams' own position is uncertain. In December, the High Court in Pretoria ordered then-deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to replace Abrahams, ruling that Zuma's original decision to appoint him was "null and void" because he was "conflicted" at the time. "Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done -- I am mindful that everyone is equal before the law," said Abrahams, who noted that "Mr Zuma disputes all allegations against him". "I don't think Zuma can stay out of court -- there's too many charges hanging over him," independent political analyst and author Nomavenda Mathiane told AFP ahead of the announcement. Abrahams said that his department's representatives in Zuma's home region of KwaZulu-Natal "will facilitate the necessary processes for Mr Zuma and his co-accused to appear in court". Last year, a court ruled against a decision by prosecutors in 2009 to drop the corruption charges against Zuma just months before he became president, laying the path to Friday's announcement. Zuma's criminal charges relate to an arms procurement deals struck by the government in the late 1990s and from which he is accused of profiting corruptly to the tune of four million rand ($345,000, 280,000 euros). State prosecutors previously justified dropping the case by saying that tapped phone calls between officials in then-president Thabo Mbeki's administration showed undue interference. Zuma and other officials were accused of taking kickbacks from the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms manufactured by five European firms, including British military equipment maker BAE Systems and French company Thales. In 2005 Zuma's former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted for facilitating bribes over the contracts and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was later released on medical parole. Zuma resigned as president last month after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party threatened to remove him from office. The ANC noted Friday's decision and called in a statement for "Comrade Zacob Zuma to be presumed innocent until, and if, proven guilty". The AfriForum campaign group, which has railed against corruption in South Africa's democratic era, had threatened to privately prosecute Zuma if the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) did not. "The NPA's decision to prosecute Zuma (is) not only a victory for AfriForum, but also for the principle of equality before the law," said the group's chief executive Kallie Kriel. In addition to the corruption scandals that dogged his time in office, Zuma had been under fire for his handling of the economy, which has been battered by falling economic growth and record unemployment. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party has campaigned since 2009 to reactivate the charges. "It doesn't matter who you are, whether you are the president, in whatever office you hold, accountability must be effective and justice will be met," said DA leader Mmusi Maimane. "He must have his day in court... We will see him in orange overalls." Zuma's successor Ramaphosa has vowed to tackle corruption, admitting it was a major problem in the previous government.

South Africa ex-president Zuma to face graft prosecution

<p>South African seamer Vernon Philander has said his Twitter account was hacked after an inflammatory message was posted suggesting Australian captain Steve Smith could have avoided an incident that resulted in Kagiso Rabada being suspended.</p>

<p>Fast bowler Rabada made contact with Smith&#39;s shoulder after dismissing him in the first innings of their six-wicket victory in the second test in Port Elizabeth.</p>

<p>He was later found guilty of &quot;inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player&quot; by the International&nbsp;Cricket&nbsp;Council (ICC) and will miss the rest of the four-match series.</p>

<p>The 22-year-old, who took 11 wickets in the match, has appealed the decision.</p>

<p>The tweet, which had a video clip of the incident attached, said Smith was equally guilty and had milked the incident.</p>

<p>&quot;Haven&#39;t really seen the footage of this incident but by the looks of this ... Steve Smith gave KG (Rabada) the shoulder,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>&quot;He could have avoided any contact but to me, he is just as guilty. Trying some football skills to get a penalty??? Pity he didn&#39;t dive to top it off.&quot;</p>

<p>Early on Thursday, however, Philander distanced himself from the comment, saying someone else had posted to his 185,000 followers.</p>

<p>&quot;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,&quot; he posted after deleting the original message.</p>

<p>&quot;Sorry for all the drama or entertainment caused by the looks of it.&quot;</p>

<p>The episode is the latest twist in a tempestuous test series that has seen five players punished by the ICC.</p>

<p>In the first test in Durban, security cameras captured a heated argument between Warner and South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock after the teams left the field for tea on the fourth day.</p>

<p>Warner said the wicketkeeper had made &quot;vile and disgusting&quot; comments about his wife.</p>

<p>Warner was fined 75 percent of his match fee, while de Kock was fined 25 percent. Both were given demerit points.</p>

<p>Rabada was handed three demerit points for the shoulder bump in Port Elizabeth, taking him to eight within a two-year period, which triggered an automatic two-match suspension.</p>

<p>He was also given another demerit point for a send-off of Warner in the second innings.</p>

<p>Australians Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Marsh are the other players to receive fines and demerit points in the series.</p>

<p>The third match in the series, which is level at 1-1, starts in Cape Town on March 22.</p>


Vernon Philander deleted the tweet which had a video clip of the incident attached and captioned as Smith was equally guilty and had milked the incident

South African seamer Vernon Philander has said his Twitter account was hacked after an inflammatory message was posted suggesting Australian captain Steve Smith could have avoided an incident that resulted in Kagiso Rabada being suspended. Fast bowler Rabada made contact with Smith's shoulder after dismissing him in the first innings of their six-wicket victory in the second test in Port Elizabeth. He was later found guilty of "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player" by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and will miss the rest of the four-match series. The 22-year-old, who took 11 wickets in the match, has appealed the decision. The tweet, which had a video clip of the incident attached, said Smith was equally guilty and had milked the incident. "Haven't really seen the footage of this incident but by the looks of this ... Steve Smith gave KG (Rabada) the shoulder," it said. "He could have avoided any contact but to me, he is just as guilty. Trying some football skills to get a penalty??? Pity he didn't dive to top it off." Early on Thursday, however, Philander distanced himself from the comment, saying someone else had posted to his 185,000 followers. "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," he posted after deleting the original message. "Sorry for all the drama or entertainment caused by the looks of it." The episode is the latest twist in a tempestuous test series that has seen five players punished by the ICC. In the first test in Durban, security cameras captured a heated argument between Warner and South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock after the teams left the field for tea on the fourth day. Warner said the wicketkeeper had made "vile and disgusting" comments about his wife. Warner was fined 75 percent of his match fee, while de Kock was fined 25 percent. Both were given demerit points. Rabada was handed three demerit points for the shoulder bump in Port Elizabeth, taking him to eight within a two-year period, which triggered an automatic two-match suspension. He was also given another demerit point for a send-off of Warner in the second innings. Australians Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Marsh are the other players to receive fines and demerit points in the series. The third match in the series, which is level at 1-1, starts in Cape Town on March 22.

Vernon Philander denies making Smith remarks, says account hacked

<p>Kolkata Police has sent a letter to BCCI regarding the information of the route for his last match to South Africa as Mohammed&nbsp;Shami&#39;s wife alleged that he had stayed back in Dubai.</p>

<p>On March 7, Hasin Jahan said that Shami abused her physically and mentally and is also involved in several extra-marital affairs.</p>

<p>She has also claimed that Shami physically assaulted her after returning from the South Africa tour last month.</p>

<p>He has been also charged under including section 498A, which amounts to cruelty to a woman by her husband or his relatives.</p>

<p>&quot;Shami abused me and started beating me even after returning from South Africa. He has been doing this for quite some time now and now I have had enough,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>Though, Mohammed Shami has rejected reports of his extramarital affairs, saying that someone is conspiring against him to ruin his career.</p>

<p>On Sunday, Hasin Jahan said she will accept him if he wants to come back.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Kolkata Police has sent a letter to BCCI regarding the information of the route for his last match to South Africa

Kolkata Police has sent a letter to BCCI regarding the information of the route for his last match to South Africa as Mohammed Shami's wife alleged that he had stayed back in Dubai. On March 7, Hasin Jahan said that Shami abused her physically and mentally and is also involved in several extra-marital affairs. She has also claimed that Shami physically assaulted her after returning from the South Africa tour last month. He has been also charged under including section 498A, which amounts to cruelty to a woman by her husband or his relatives. "Shami abused me and started beating me even after returning from South Africa. He has been doing this for quite some time now and now I have had enough," she said. Though, Mohammed Shami has rejected reports of his extramarital affairs, saying that someone is conspiring against him to ruin his career. On Sunday, Hasin Jahan said she will accept him if he wants to come back.

After wife's allegations, Kolkata Police hand over Shami's travel log to BCCI

<p>Usman Khawaja scored 75 runs to lead an Australia fightback on the third day of the second test against South Africa at St George&#39;s Park, but succumbed just before close of play after seeing the tourists cancel out a first innings deficit.</p>

<p>Australia will take a 41-run led into the fourth day after finishing Sunday&#39;s play at 180 for five wickets.</p>

<p>Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh put together a 87-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Khawaja, whose place in the team has been under threat because of a lack of form, was trapped leg before wicket by Kagiso Rabada in the second last over of the day.</p>

<p>It was a blow to the tourists who had been showing strong resistance after teetering at 86-4 just after tea.</p>

<p>Marsh played a solid supporting role to be 39 not out at the end of the day. He will resume on Monday with Tim Paine, who has five runs to his name.</p>

<p>Australia lost three wickets in the second session after lunch, including that of captain Steve Smith, and then Shaun Marsh with the second ball of the last session before Khawaja dashed home hopes of rattling through the Australian batting line-up.</p>

<p>Smith, ranked the world&#39;s top test batsmen, went cheaply as he was caught behind for 11 after he got a slight edge to the spin bowling of Keshav Maharaj while David Warner, also key to their hopes, was bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 13.</p>

<p>South Africa had a first innings lead of 139 after being bowled out for 382 just before lunch.</p>

<p>AB de Villiers notched up his 22nd test century in scoring an unbeaten 126 in a busy morning session to help South Africa into a good lead.</p>

<p>He had not scored a ton in his last 13 tests but featured in an 84-run partnership with Vernon Philander (36) for the eighth wicket and further 58 with Keshav Maharaj, who swatted at the Australian bowling to score 30 off 24 balls.</p>

<p>Australia lead 1-0 in the four-test series.</p>


Usman Khawaja scored 75 runs to lead an Australia fightback on the third day of the second test against South Africa at St George's Park, but succumbed just before close of play after seeing the tourists cancel out a first innings deficit

Usman Khawaja scored 75 runs to lead an Australia fightback on the third day of the second test against South Africa at St George's Park, but succumbed just before close of play after seeing the tourists cancel out a first innings deficit. Australia will take a 41-run led into the fourth day after finishing Sunday's play at 180 for five wickets. Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh put together a 87-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Khawaja, whose place in the team has been under threat because of a lack of form, was trapped leg before wicket by Kagiso Rabada in the second last over of the day. It was a blow to the tourists who had been showing strong resistance after teetering at 86-4 just after tea. Marsh played a solid supporting role to be 39 not out at the end of the day. He will resume on Monday with Tim Paine, who has five runs to his name. Australia lost three wickets in the second session after lunch, including that of captain Steve Smith, and then Shaun Marsh with the second ball of the last session before Khawaja dashed home hopes of rattling through the Australian batting line-up. Smith, ranked the world's top test batsmen, went cheaply as he was caught behind for 11 after he got a slight edge to the spin bowling of Keshav Maharaj while David Warner, also key to their hopes, was bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 13. South Africa had a first innings lead of 139 after being bowled out for 382 just before lunch. AB de Villiers notched up his 22nd test century in scoring an unbeaten 126 in a busy morning session to help South Africa into a good lead. He had not scored a ton in his last 13 tests but featured in an 84-run partnership with Vernon Philander (36) for the eighth wicket and further 58 with Keshav Maharaj, who swatted at the Australian bowling to score 30 off 24 balls. Australia lead 1-0 in the four-test series.

South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test: Khawaja leads fightback but Proteas strike late

<p>Opener Dean Elgar edged towards a patient half-century as South Africa reached 110 for two at lunch on the second day of the second test against Australia at St George&rsquo;s Park on Saturday.</p>

<p>Elgar is 38 not out from 108 balls. He has put on 43 for the third wicket with Hashim Amla, who has 31 from 71 balls, as they reduced Australia&rsquo;s first innings lead to 133 runs to take the ascendancy in the test.</p>

<p>Having resumed on 39 for one, it was a fruitful morning for Proteas, who only lost nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada for 29 when he played onto his stumps from a Pat Cummins, 2-23 delivery.</p>

<p>There were few alarms from the wicket, which did not provide the same seam movement that South Africa enjoyed on the first day when they restricted Australia to 243 all out.</p>

<p>Amla was given out leg before wicket early in his innings by umpire Sundaram Ravi off a Cummins delivery, but successfully reviewed the decision when it was revealed the ball had struck him outside the line of the stumps.</p>

<p>Australia battled to create opportunities to take wickets, though spinner Nathan Lyon did find good turn off the wicket and was difficult to score off.</p>

<p>Rabada took the attack to the Australians with six fours, proving an irritation with the bat following his excellent 5-96 with the ball in the Australian innings.</p>

<p>His further participation in the series is in doubt though after it was revealed on Saturday that he had been charged with a Level Two offence by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a hearing to be staged on Saturday evening.</p>


Opener Dean Elgar edged towards a patient half-century as South Africa reached 110 for two at lunch on the second day of the second test against Australia at St George’s Park on Saturday. Elgar is 38 not out from 108 balls. He has put on 43 for the third wicket with Hashim Amla, who has 31 from 71 balls, as they reduced Australia’s first innings lead to 133 runs to take the ascendancy in the test. Having resumed on 39 for one, it was a fruitful morning for Proteas, who only lost nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada for 29 when he played onto his stumps from a Pat Cummins, 2-23 delivery. There were few alarms from the wicket, which did not provide the same seam movement that South Africa enjoyed on the first day when they restricted Australia to 243 all out. Amla was given out leg before wicket early in his innings by umpire Sundaram Ravi off a Cummins delivery, but successfully reviewed the decision when it was revealed the ball had struck him outside the line of the stumps. Australia battled to create opportunities to take wickets, though spinner Nathan Lyon did find good turn off the wicket and was difficult to score off. Rabada took the attack to the Australians with six fours, proving an irritation with the bat following his excellent 5-96 with the ball in the Australian innings. His further participation in the series is in doubt though after it was revealed on Saturday that he had been charged with a Level Two offence by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a hearing to be staged on Saturday evening.

2nd Test, Day 2: South Africa trail Australia by 133 runs at lunch

<p>Australia is currently on the tour of South Africa to play a four-match Test series. Australia currently lead the highly controversial and dramatic series by 1-0.</p>

<p>After <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/warner-de-kock-fined-for-bringing-the-game-into-disrepute-35164">David Warner and Quinton de Kock</a> row, now Kagiso Rabada has faced a level two charge by the match referee&nbsp;Jeff Crowe and&nbsp;now might miss the last two Tests of the ongoing series.</p>

<p>The level 2 charge&nbsp;has been implied due to&nbsp;the incident when Rabada made a shoulder contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after sending him off&nbsp;on the first day of the opening Test.</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> This nudge between Rabada and Smith will no doubt be reviewed by the match referee <a href="https://t.co/2ln0tmTOln">pic.twitter.com/2ln0tmTOln</a></p>
&mdash; Michael Sherman (@Golfhackno1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Golfhackno1/status/972089842237607936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An aggressive send off to steven smith by kagiso rabada. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvsAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvsAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/F9gHKVGTOQ">pic.twitter.com/F9gHKVGTOQ</a></p>
&mdash; Alauddin Khilji (@AlauddinKhilj10) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlauddinKhilj10/status/972088511703625728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>If a player receives four or more demerit points within a two-year period, these are converted into suspension points. A suspension point amounts to a ban from one test or two ODIs, or two T20s, whichever come first.</p>

<p>Though, Rabada said that he will contest all the allegations as the charges related to the incident is false. The contact was accidental not deliberated.</p>

<p>In just one game, a lot of things has happened already and the ugly side of cricket is visible. Recently, Australian <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-bowler-nathan-lyon-fined-for-disrespecting-ab-de-villiers-34801">off-spinner Nathan Lyon</a> was booked by ICC for disrespecting former South African skipper <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-bowler-nathan-lyon-fined-for-disrespecting-ab-de-villiers-34801">AB de Villiers</a>.</p>

<p>Also, ICC has charged <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/warner-de-kock-fined-for-bringing-the-game-into-disrepute-35164">David Warner</a> with 75 per cent of match fee from the first test and given three demerit points for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/warner-de-kock-fined-for-bringing-the-game-into-disrepute-35164">level two charge</a> of bringing the game into disrepute because of an ugly verbal <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/warner-de-kock-fined-for-bringing-the-game-into-disrepute-35164">confrontation with De Kock</a>.</p>

<p>Quinton de Kock was fined 25 percent of his match fee and given one demerit point for the heated off-field exchange.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Kagiso Rabada has faced a level two charge by the match referee Jeff Crowe on the incident when Rabada made a shoulder contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after sending him off on the first day of the opening Test

Australia is currently on the tour of South Africa to play a four-match Test series. Australia currently lead the highly controversial and dramatic series by 1-0. After David Warner and Quinton de Kock row, now Kagiso Rabada has faced a level two charge by the match referee Jeff Crowe and now might miss the last two Tests of the ongoing series. The level 2 charge has been implied due to the incident when Rabada made a shoulder contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after sending him off on the first day of the opening Test. Watch the video here: #SAvAUS This nudge between Rabada and Smith will no doubt be reviewed by the match referee pic.twitter.com/2ln0tmTOln — Michael Sherman (@Golfhackno1) March 9, 2018 × An aggressive send off to steven smith by kagiso rabada. #SAvAUS #SAvsAUS pic.twitter.com/F9gHKVGTOQ — Alauddin Khilji (@AlauddinKhilj10) March 9, 2018 × If a player receives four or more demerit points within a two-year period, these are converted into suspension points. A suspension point amounts to a ban from one test or two ODIs, or two T20s, whichever come first. Though, Rabada said that he will contest all the allegations as the charges related to the incident is false. The contact was accidental not deliberated. In just one game, a lot of things has happened already and the ugly side of cricket is visible. Recently, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon was booked by ICC for disrespecting former South African skipper AB de Villiers. Also, ICC has charged David Warner with 75 per cent of match fee from the first test and given three demerit points for a level two charge of bringing the game into disrepute because of an ugly verbal confrontation with De Kock. Quinton de Kock was fined 25 percent of his match fee and given one demerit point for the heated off-field exchange.

Kagiso Rabada faces suspension for disrespecting Steve Smith

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/warner-de-kock-fined-for-bringing-the-game-into-disrepute-35164" target="_blank">Australian skipper Steve Smith</a> won the toss and opted to bat on the opening day of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-bowler-nathan-lyon-fined-for-disrespecting-ab-de-villiers-34801" target="_blank">second test against South Africa</a> at St George&rsquo;s Park on Friday.</p>

<p>Australia have picked the same team for the seventh successive test.</p>

<p>Despite being a bowling pitch, Smith took the long view of not having to bat last on a pitch that aids reverse swing.</p>

<p>&quot;There is a little bit of grass on it and it might do a little bit this morning, but if we can get through that and post a big first innings total then reverse swing becomes important later on,&quot; said Smith&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Invincibles have won the first test by 118 runs in Durban and can end South Africa&rsquo;s hopes of a series victory with another win in Port Elizabeth in the four-match series.</p>

<p>&quot;It was a nice start (in Durban), we played some really good cricket. We want to keep up the pressure this week,&rdquo; the skipper added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, South African captain Faf du Plessis said he was relieved that the decision to bat or bowl was taken out of his hands.</p>

<p>&quot;I was extremely happy to lose the toss,&quot; Du Plessis said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I was 50-50, we probably would have gone with bowling first. With the conditions today and the forecast over the next five days, it won&rsquo;t get too hot so the pitch won&rsquo;t deteriorate much.&quot;</p>

<p>The home side has made one change to their line-up, bringing in seamer Lungi Ngidi for the more experienced Morne Morkel, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket after this series.&nbsp;</p>


Australia have picked the same team for the seventh successive test

Australian skipper Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat on the opening day of the second test against South Africa at St George’s Park on Friday. Australia have picked the same team for the seventh successive test. Despite being a bowling pitch, Smith took the long view of not having to bat last on a pitch that aids reverse swing. "There is a little bit of grass on it and it might do a little bit this morning, but if we can get through that and post a big first innings total then reverse swing becomes important later on," said Smith The Invincibles have won the first test by 118 runs in Durban and can end South Africa’s hopes of a series victory with another win in Port Elizabeth in the four-match series. "It was a nice start (in Durban), we played some really good cricket. We want to keep up the pressure this week,” the skipper added. Meanwhile, South African captain Faf du Plessis said he was relieved that the decision to bat or bowl was taken out of his hands. "I was extremely happy to lose the toss," Du Plessis said. "I was 50-50, we probably would have gone with bowling first. With the conditions today and the forecast over the next five days, it won’t get too hot so the pitch won’t deteriorate much." The home side has made one change to their line-up, bringing in seamer Lungi Ngidi for the more experienced Morne Morkel, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket after this series.

2nd Test: Steve Smith wins toss, opts to bat against South Africa

<p>Recently,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-david-warner-and-de-kock-row-shows-ugly-side-of-cricket-34809"> David Warner</a> was seen apparently turning on South African wicketkeeper-batsman <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-david-warner-and-de-kock-row-shows-ugly-side-of-cricket-34809">Quinton De Kock</a> during the tea break on the fourth day of the first Test.</p>

<p>Their captains said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-david-warner-and-de-kock-row-shows-ugly-side-of-cricket-34809">personal insults</a> were at the root of a row between Australia&#39;s David Warner and South Africa&#39;s Quinton de Kock.</p>

<p>ICC has charged Warner with 75 per cent of match fee from the first test and given three demerit points for a level two charge of bringing the game into disrepute because of an ugly verbal confrontation with De Kock.</p>

<p>Quinton de Kock was fined 25 percent of his match fee and given one demerit point for the heated <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-david-warner-and-de-kock-row-shows-ugly-side-of-cricket-34809">off-field exchange</a>.</p>

<p>If a player receives four or more demerit points within a two-year period, these are converted into suspension points. A suspension point amounts to a ban from one test or two ODIs, or two T20s, whichever come first.</p>

<p>In the same match, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon was booked by ICC for disrespecting former South African skipper AB de Villiers.</p>

<p>The incident happened when both the teams were returning to their dressing rooms during the tea break on the fourth day of the first Test.</p>

<p>A leaked CCTV footage showed David Warner apparently turning on De Kock as the players walked up a narrow staircase.</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/davidwarner31?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@davidwarner31</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/QuinnyDeKock69?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QuinnyDeKock69</a> Verbal Exchange during Tea Break. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Rr4Xkx2lQ">pic.twitter.com/6Rr4Xkx2lQ</a></p>
&mdash; Thakur (@ThakurHassam) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThakurHassam/status/970442595464773632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Watch another video&nbsp;of David Warner repeatedly calling De Kock a &quot;sook&quot;, which is Australian slang for somebody that is perceived to be soft.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WATCH: New footage being shown in Australia by Fox news, shows David Warner swearing at Quinton de Kock shortly before the staircase incident in Durban. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/RkVR453Isj">pic.twitter.com/RkVR453Isj</a></p>
&mdash; Lunga Kupiso (@KupisoLunga) <a href="https://twitter.com/KupisoLunga/status/971652048361050112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


David Warner charged with 75 per cent of match fee and given three demerit points for a level two charge

Recently, David Warner was seen apparently turning on South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton De Kock during the tea break on the fourth day of the first Test. Their captains said personal insults were at the root of a row between Australia's David Warner and South Africa's Quinton de Kock. ICC has charged Warner with 75 per cent of match fee from the first test and given three demerit points for a level two charge of bringing the game into disrepute because of an ugly verbal confrontation with De Kock. Quinton de Kock was fined 25 percent of his match fee and given one demerit point for the heated off-field exchange. If a player receives four or more demerit points within a two-year period, these are converted into suspension points. A suspension point amounts to a ban from one test or two ODIs, or two T20s, whichever come first. In the same match, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon was booked by ICC for disrespecting former South African skipper AB de Villiers. The incident happened when both the teams were returning to their dressing rooms during the tea break on the fourth day of the first Test. A leaked CCTV footage showed David Warner apparently turning on De Kock as the players walked up a narrow staircase. Watch the video here: @davidwarner31 and @QuinnyDeKock69 Verbal Exchange during Tea Break. #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/6Rr4Xkx2lQ — Thakur (@ThakurHassam) March 4, 2018 × Watch another video of David Warner repeatedly calling De Kock a "sook", which is Australian slang for somebody that is perceived to be soft. WATCH: New footage being shown in Australia by Fox news, shows David Warner swearing at Quinton de Kock shortly before the staircase incident in Durban. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/RkVR453Isj — Lunga Kupiso (@KupisoLunga) March 8, 2018 ×

Warner, De Kock fined for 'bringing the game into disrepute'

<p>Robbers used a hacksaw to try to cut off a South African triathlete&#39;s legs when they attacked him on his way to a training session, the sportsman&#39;s colleagues said Wednesday.</p>

<p>A gang of three men targeted 27-year-old triathlete Mhlengi Gwala in a dawn attack in the east coast city of Durban on Tuesday before dragging him to a bush and attempting to cut off his legs.</p>

<p>&quot;He is currently in surgery to try and save his leg - the surgeons are confident,&quot; said Dennis Jackson, the head of South Africa&#39;s Elite Athlete Development Programme.</p>

<p>Gwala&#39;s friend and fellow triathlete Sandile Shange said Gwala told him that the attackers failed to cut through the bone because they had used a blunt, rusty saw.</p>

<p>&quot;Two guys were holding his upper body and the other guy was just was cutting the leg and I think when they got to the bone they got stuck,&quot; told Shange.</p>

<p>&quot;Mhlengi said the... saw they were using was very rusty and it was, like, oldish and it was not sharpened and they tried another leg.&quot;</p>

<p>The attackers fled when a private security patrol passed close by.</p>

<p>Gwala then managed to limp to the road and raise the alarm.</p>

<p>The motive for the attack was not immediately known.</p>

<p>Doctors have said &quot;he will be able to walk and run again&quot; - but it will take a long time, according to Shange.</p>

<p>South African 2016 Olympic triathlon medallist Henri Schoeman described the attack in a tweet as &quot;absolutely disgusting! How safe are we on South Africa&#39;s roads?&quot;</p>

<p>South Africa suffers some of the world&#39;s highest crime rates and faced 34 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015-16, according to the police.</p>


The attackers fled when a private security patrol passed close by

Robbers used a hacksaw to try to cut off a South African triathlete's legs when they attacked him on his way to a training session, the sportsman's colleagues said Wednesday. A gang of three men targeted 27-year-old triathlete Mhlengi Gwala in a dawn attack in the east coast city of Durban on Tuesday before dragging him to a bush and attempting to cut off his legs. "He is currently in surgery to try and save his leg - the surgeons are confident," said Dennis Jackson, the head of South Africa's Elite Athlete Development Programme. Gwala's friend and fellow triathlete Sandile Shange said Gwala told him that the attackers failed to cut through the bone because they had used a blunt, rusty saw. "Two guys were holding his upper body and the other guy was just was cutting the leg and I think when they got to the bone they got stuck," told Shange. "Mhlengi said the... saw they were using was very rusty and it was, like, oldish and it was not sharpened and they tried another leg." The attackers fled when a private security patrol passed close by. Gwala then managed to limp to the road and raise the alarm. The motive for the attack was not immediately known. Doctors have said "he will be able to walk and run again" - but it will take a long time, according to Shange. South African 2016 Olympic triathlon medallist Henri Schoeman described the attack in a tweet as "absolutely disgusting! How safe are we on South Africa's roads?" South Africa suffers some of the world's highest crime rates and faced 34 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015-16, according to the police.

Attackers try to cut off South African triathlete's legs

<p>The Australian cricket team is on tour to South Africa for a four-test match series. Currently, Aussies lead by 2-0 and looking forward to clinching the series.</p>

<p>In just one game, a lot of things has happened already and the ugly side of cricket is visible. Recently, Australian off-spinner <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-bowler-nathan-lyon-fined-for-disrespecting-ab-de-villiers-34801">Nathan Lyon was booked </a>by ICC for disrespecting former South African skipper AB de Villiers.</p>

<p>Now, another incident which was escalated after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-bowler-nathan-lyon-fined-for-disrespecting-ab-de-villiers-34801">de Villiers&#39; run out incident</a> when both the teams were returning to their dressing rooms during the tea break on the fourth day of the first Test.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/davidwarner31?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@davidwarner31</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/QuinnyDeKock69?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QuinnyDeKock69</a> Verbal Exchange during Tea Break. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Rr4Xkx2lQ">pic.twitter.com/6Rr4Xkx2lQ</a></p>
&mdash; Thakur (@ThakurHassam) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThakurHassam/status/970442595464773632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>A leaked CCTV footage showed David Warner apparently turning on De Kock as the players walked up a narrow staircase. Their captains said personal insults were at the root of a row between Australia&#39;s David Warner and South Africa&#39;s Quinton de Kock.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Australian skipper, Steve Smith says Quinton De Kock was the instigator and got very personal with David Warner. <a href="https://t.co/JftBJBmOoG">pic.twitter.com/JftBJBmOoG</a></p>
&mdash; Myron Naicker (@myronnaicker) <a href="https://twitter.com/myronnaicker/status/970583708414640128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Steve Smith: &quot;What was said and done during that interval was regrettable on both sides.&quot;</p>

<p>Faf du Plessis: &quot;From what I&#39;ve heard there was a lot of personal stuff being said, to and from.&quot;</p>

<p>The incident is in the hands of match referee Jeff Crowe, with no immediate clarity about when a decision could be expected.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WATCH: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Proteas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Proteas</a> captain <a href="https://twitter.com/faf1307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@faf1307</a> on the incident involving David Warner and Quinton de Kock. Video: <a href="https://twitter.com/whamzam17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@whamzam17</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IOL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IOL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMercurySA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheMercurySA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DailyNewsSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DailyNewsSA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DavidWarner?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DavidWarner</a> <a href="https://t.co/KbpnXviEwP">pic.twitter.com/KbpnXviEwP</a></p>
&mdash; IOL Sport (@IOLsport) <a href="https://twitter.com/IOLsport/status/970587201666015233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


David Warner apparently turning on De Kock as the players walked up a narrow staircase during the team break on the 4th day of first Test.

The Australian cricket team is on tour to South Africa for a four-test match series. Currently, Aussies lead by 2-0 and looking forward to clinching the series. In just one game, a lot of things has happened already and the ugly side of cricket is visible. Recently, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon was booked by ICC for disrespecting former South African skipper AB de Villiers. Now, another incident which was escalated after de Villiers' run out incident when both the teams were returning to their dressing rooms during the tea break on the fourth day of the first Test. @davidwarner31 and @QuinnyDeKock69 Verbal Exchange during Tea Break. #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/6Rr4Xkx2lQ — Thakur (@ThakurHassam) March 4, 2018 × A leaked CCTV footage showed David Warner apparently turning on De Kock as the players walked up a narrow staircase. Their captains said personal insults were at the root of a row between Australia's David Warner and South Africa's Quinton de Kock. Australian skipper, Steve Smith says Quinton De Kock was the instigator and got very personal with David Warner. pic.twitter.com/JftBJBmOoG — Myron Naicker (@myronnaicker) March 5, 2018 × Steve Smith: "What was said and done during that interval was regrettable on both sides." Faf du Plessis: "From what I've heard there was a lot of personal stuff being said, to and from." The incident is in the hands of match referee Jeff Crowe, with no immediate clarity about when a decision could be expected. WATCH: #Proteas captain @faf1307 on the incident involving David Warner and Quinton de Kock. Video: @whamzam17 @IOL @TheMercurySA @DailyNewsSA #SAvAUS #DavidWarner pic.twitter.com/KbpnXviEwP — IOL Sport (@IOLsport) March 5, 2018 ×

Watch: David Warner and De Kock row shows ugly side of cricket

<p>Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has been charged 15 percent of his match fee for his cheeky celebration following the run out of South Africa batsman AB de Villiers by the International Cricket Council (ICC). He threw&nbsp;the ball at former South African skipper AB de Villiers which is declared as a breach of level one of its code of conduct as behaviour that was &quot;contrary to the spirit of the game&quot;. Nathan&nbsp;has had one demerit point added to his name. A total of four such demerit points will result in him missing a Test match.</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If I was an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Australian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Australian</a> or part of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Australiancricket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Australiancricket</a> team I would be <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ashamed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ashamed</a>. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/derro?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#derro</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NathanLyon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NathanLyon</a> clearly throws the ball on AB and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DavidWarner?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DavidWarner</a> acts like an absolute <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bogan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bogan</a> that he is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maniac?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#maniac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvsSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvsSA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/badsportsmen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#badsportsmen</a> #disgrace# <a href="https://t.co/6Cb8LMGXGs">pic.twitter.com/6Cb8LMGXGs</a></p>
&mdash; Br@t (@Mc_Allstar) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mc_Allstar/status/970698669900091392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The incident occurred on the fourth day in the second innings of the first Test match at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Sunday. De Villiers was run out for nought after being involved in a mix-up with opening batsman Aiden Markram, with Lyon, who had knocked off the bails, dropping the ball towards the sprawled batsman as he ran over to join ecstatic celebrations.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nathan Lyon has been fined after breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test against South Africa.<br />
<br />
STORY ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/zUEzQQBIzH">https://t.co/zUEzQQBIzH</a> <a href="https://t.co/rV8SWOMKkm">pic.twitter.com/rV8SWOMKkm</a></p>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/970708948419571712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Australia won the first match of a four-Test series by 118 runs on Monday&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bowler was said to have apologised to De Villiers and the pair were seen shaking hands while the teams warmed up on Monday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It didn&#39;t take too long for Australia to wrap up victory on day five of the first Test against South Africa.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> REPORT ➡️<a href="https://t.co/j4xPRt027s">https://t.co/j4xPRt027s</a> <a href="https://t.co/VbuB8q2eWd">pic.twitter.com/VbuB8q2eWd</a></p>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/970637552288854016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Nathan Lyon's behaviour has been declared as a breach of level one of ICC code of conduct as it was "contrary to the spirit of the game"

Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has been charged 15 percent of his match fee for his cheeky celebration following the run out of South Africa batsman AB de Villiers by the International Cricket Council (ICC). He threw the ball at former South African skipper AB de Villiers which is declared as a breach of level one of its code of conduct as behaviour that was "contrary to the spirit of the game". Nathan has had one demerit point added to his name. A total of four such demerit points will result in him missing a Test match. Watch the video here: If I was an #Australian or part of the #Australiancricket team I would be #ashamed. The #derro #NathanLyon clearly throws the ball on AB and #DavidWarner acts like an absolute #bogan that he is #maniac #AUSvsSA #badsportsmen #disgrace# pic.twitter.com/6Cb8LMGXGs — Br@t (@Mc_Allstar) March 5, 2018 × The incident occurred on the fourth day in the second innings of the first Test match at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Sunday. De Villiers was run out for nought after being involved in a mix-up with opening batsman Aiden Markram, with Lyon, who had knocked off the bails, dropping the ball towards the sprawled batsman as he ran over to join ecstatic celebrations. Nathan Lyon has been fined after breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test against South Africa. STORY ➡️ https://t.co/zUEzQQBIzH pic.twitter.com/rV8SWOMKkm — ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2018 × Australia won the first match of a four-Test series by 118 runs on Monday The bowler was said to have apologised to De Villiers and the pair were seen shaking hands while the teams warmed up on Monday. It didn't take too long for Australia to wrap up victory on day five of the first Test against South Africa.#SAvAUS REPORT ➡️https://t.co/j4xPRt027s pic.twitter.com/VbuB8q2eWd — ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2018 ×

Australian bowler Nathan Lyon fined for 'disrespecting' AB de Villiers

<p><br />
Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri, who has always commended Virat Kohli irrespective of his poor form, on Monday compared the skipper&#39;s playing ability with Pakistan&#39;s World Cup winning captain Imran Khan.</p>

<p>Shastri lauded Virat&#39;s form in the recently-concluded South Africa tour saying, he has created a niche for himself in cricket and is already there among the very best in the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s still early days for Virat. He is still very very young. But he is already there among the very best. He wants to lead by example. He reminds me a lot of Imran,&quot; Shastri said in an interview.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;He is still very young but he has got lot of qualities that Imran had when it came to leading a side. Which is great,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kohli, who is ranked as No. 1 batsman in one-day internationals, was in imperious form against the Proteas becoming the first batsman ever to score 500 or more runs in a bilateral ODI series.</p>

<p>Kohli&#39;s six innings in the ODI series were - 112, 46 not-out, 160 not out, 75, 36 and 129 not out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On being asked about the similarities between Imran and Kohli, Shastri said both players have the desire to be on the top and the infectious energy level they both possess made him draw the comparison.</p>

<p>&quot;Just the ability to always want to dominate, want to compete, irrespective of whatever conditions you get, believe that you can do it and when you have that kind of quality it spreads among the other players as well. And that was very similar to the way Imran led.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;I think he was fantastic on the last trip. It was a tough trip,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>After a 1-2 Test defeat to hosts South Africa, not many believed that the &#39;Men in Blue&#39; could do something complacent in the ODIs. Yes, they did script an impelling victory on a &quot;challenging&quot; Johannesburg track in the final Test</p>

<p>Speaking on Kohli&#39;s leadership and performance in South Africa, Shastri said, &quot;When you are the leading batsman in the side plus the captain, plus the conditions you get, plus the side that you are playing which is formidable, you need to be on top of your game.</p>

<p>&quot;Mentally and physically. And he did just that. For someone to score 870-plus score on a single tour in two months, is an unbelievable achievement. Really unbelievable achievement,&quot; the coach added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After losing the first two tests, India made a comeback by winning the third test and the six-match series by 5-1.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the T20Is, India edged past the hosts 2-1.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Shastri lauded Virat's form in the recently-concluded South Africa tour

Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri, who has always commended Virat Kohli irrespective of his poor form, on Monday compared the skipper's playing ability with Pakistan's World Cup winning captain Imran Khan. Shastri lauded Virat's form in the recently-concluded South Africa tour saying, he has created a niche for himself in cricket and is already there among the very best in the world. "It's still early days for Virat. He is still very very young. But he is already there among the very best. He wants to lead by example. He reminds me a lot of Imran," Shastri said in an interview. "He is still very young but he has got lot of qualities that Imran had when it came to leading a side. Which is great," he added. Kohli, who is ranked as No. 1 batsman in one-day internationals, was in imperious form against the Proteas becoming the first batsman ever to score 500 or more runs in a bilateral ODI series. Kohli's six innings in the ODI series were - 112, 46 not-out, 160 not out, 75, 36 and 129 not out. On being asked about the similarities between Imran and Kohli, Shastri said both players have the desire to be on the top and the infectious energy level they both possess made him draw the comparison. "Just the ability to always want to dominate, want to compete, irrespective of whatever conditions you get, believe that you can do it and when you have that kind of quality it spreads among the other players as well. And that was very similar to the way Imran led." "I think he was fantastic on the last trip. It was a tough trip," he added. After a 1-2 Test defeat to hosts South Africa, not many believed that the 'Men in Blue' could do something complacent in the ODIs. Yes, they did script an impelling victory on a "challenging" Johannesburg track in the final Test Speaking on Kohli's leadership and performance in South Africa, Shastri said, "When you are the leading batsman in the side plus the captain, plus the conditions you get, plus the side that you are playing which is formidable, you need to be on top of your game. "Mentally and physically. And he did just that. For someone to score 870-plus score on a single tour in two months, is an unbelievable achievement. Really unbelievable achievement," the coach added. After losing the first two tests, India made a comeback by winning the third test and the six-match series by 5-1. In the T20Is, India edged past the hosts 2-1.

'Virat reminds me a lot of Imran Khan', says Ravi Shastri

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