Ugly scenes as Proteas arrive in South Australia, as 'lollygate' controversy continues to be topic on everyone's lips
SA security, reporter in Adelaide Airport stoush
South Africa's 'lollygate' controversy has escalated with a chaotic scene at Adelaide Airport involving a member of the Proteas security team and an Australian TV journalist.
UPDATE: Proteas unleash on TV journalist
After the South Africa squad touched down in the South Australia capital ahead of Thursday's third Test, Channel 9 reporter Will Crouch attempted to get a direct quote from Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis – the man at the centre of a ball-tampering controversy after he was charged by the ICC for 'changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3' during the second Test in Hobart.
%E2%80%94 Neil Manthorp (@NeilManthorp) November 21, 2016
Security guard Zunaid Wadee intervened in a manner deemed overly aggressive by some onlookers, with significant physical contact taking place and Crouch getting pushed into glass exit doors to impede his progress.
%E2%80%94 Peter Lalor (@plalor) November 21, 2016
On Twitter, veteran South Africa batsman Hashim Amla defended the actions of the Proteas' security detail, saying the situation was caused by "provocative behaviour" of some reporters.
%E2%80%94 hashim amla (@amlahash) November 21, 2016
Vision was captured yesterday of another Channel Nine journalist, Corey Norris, being manhandled in a heated incident with Wadee after he also tried to speak directly to du Plessis.
Early indications suggest du Plessis’ ICC hearing regarding the ball tampering allegation may not occur until after the third Test, which would clear the way for him to play in Adelaide.
The incident occurred during the 54th over of Australia's second innings in Hobart, with Nine's Wide World of Sport cameras showing du Plessis – with a round, white lolly on his tongue – licking his finger before rubbing the Kookaburra and repeating the act at least two more times.
All level 2 breaches carry an imposition of a fine between 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the applicable match fee and/or up to two suspension points (equal to one Test match), and three or four demerit points.
The Proteas have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series but have been rocked by the ball-tampering controversy, with Amla speaking about the issue at a press opportunity in Melbourne last Friday while flanked by the entire squad.
"The reason everyone is here is to stand together, really, and to show solidarity to something ... we thought was actually a joke," Amla said.
"It's not April, but the allegation against Faf was ... a really ridiculous thing.
"As a team, we're standing strong, we've done nothing wrong.
"It's basically a joke."
Amla remained adamant the team’s leader had no case to answer with the prospect of an historic 3-0 series sweep on the horizon in Adelaide.
"Whether it is or not, we've done nothing wrong and I know Faf has done absolutely nothing wrong," he said.
"I chew bubble gum while I'm on the field - you want me to brush my teeth after lunch?
"We're standing out on the field for two hours ... there was no malicious intent whatsoever.
"Is it proven or what? Because that's something that is really new to us.
"I've had sweets in my mouth, bubblegum in my mouth, biltong, nuts – I'm not sure what the big deal is.
"To a lot of people, it's sounding more like sour sweets."
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