Faf du Plessis believes that the ICC’s decision to charge him for ball tampering has shifted the media scrutiny away from Australia’s failings.

After Australia suffered a humiliating series defeat against the Proteas, it would have been logical that the Aussies faced intense media scrutiny for their terrible loss, especially after suffering an innings and 80 run defeat in Hobart.

‘The thing which disappoints me the most is that we came to Australia and dominated with our performance and played exceptionally well. As a leader, you want to make sure that that takes headlines.

‘According to me, the ball-tampering incident is a small thing and has taken all the shine away  – excuse the pun –  from the way we’ve played as a team and dominated proceedings.’

After a video did the rounds online exposing Du Plessis shining the ball with a mint in his mouth, the media attention was sucked up by allegations and an ICC hearing in which Du Plessis was fined for ball-tampering.

‘We’ve come to Australia and created history, we have become the first team to come here and walk away with three Test series wins in a row, and that deserves a lot more headlines than other things that have been said in the press. My focus is now fully on whitewashing the Australia cricket team.’

Kepler Wessels, speaking on the TV program Inside Edge, removed the Du Plessis incident as a cause for the humiliating series defeat.

‘The Proteas were too good for Australia and the tampering would not have changed anything.’

Photo: Dave Hunt/Backpagepix