Friday 18 July 2014 21:11, UK
South Africa's Vernon Philander has been fined by the International Cricket Council for ball tampering.
The seamer has been penalised for 75 per cent of his match fee after being caught "changing the condition of the ball" on day three of the on-going first Test against Sri Lanka.
Philander, 29 and the leading Test all-rounder in the world rankings, was found to have scratched the ball's surface with his fingers and thumb in a review of television images by umpires following the close of play in Galle.
Sri Lanka trailed South Africa by 172 runs with one wicket remaining in the first innings at stumps.
And an ICC statement read on Friday: "Philander was charged with an article 2.2.9 offence of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to 'changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket'.
"The charge was laid after umpires Billy Bowden and Richard Kettleborough, as well as third umpire Nigel Llong and fourth umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge, viewed television footage along with match referee Jeff Crowe.
"The incident that led to the charge being laid took place in the afternoon when Philander was captured on footage changing the condition of the ball by scratching the surface with his fingers and thumb.”
Sri Lanka closed the day 283-9 from 100 overs, with play resuming at 5.30am UK time on the fourth day on Saturday.
