Ball-tampering: South Africa assures not to taunt Australia over scandal

South Africa pledged not to wind up Australia over the ball-tampering scandal when they meet for a three-match One Day International series, eight months since the incident during the Cape Town Test.

Captain Faf du Plessis said that they won't dredge up the past in the upcoming tour, and said that it would be “business as usual”.

Australia lost the Test series to South Africa then and recently against Pakistan. They had a disastrous ODI series and a one off T20I against England as well.

An independent review following the scandal had slammed Cricket Australia for its role leading up to the ball-tampering incident. The review found that an “arrogant” and “controlling” culture existed within the governing body which encouraged an atmosphere that led to the players resorting to cheating in pursuit of victory.

After a series of failures, Australia dropped Tim Payne from the role of the captain, and was replaced by Aaron Finch. Nathan Lyon and Mitch Marsh also are absent from the squad as Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins return from injury to add to the bowling attack.

South Africa have brought their strongest team to Australia for the ODIs in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, and a single T20 clash on the Gold Coast. 

(With inputs from agencies)