Disgraced cricket cheat David Warner is branded a hypocrite after calling out tampering

Disgraced cricket cheat David Warner has been branded a hypocrite for criticising South African ball-tampering before asking a teammate to illegally alter the ball only two years later.

Faf Du Plessis, the South African skipper, was fined for using saliva from a mint in his mouth to boost shine on the ball in a Test Match against Australia in Hobart in 2016.

After the game, Warner lectured: ‘I just know from an Australian cricket perspective, we hold our heads high and I’d be very disappointed if one of our team members did that.

Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft at a press conference admitting ball tampering charges during the third Test in South Africa

‘If you’re going to overstep that mark and you get fined, be prepared to miss Test matches as well.’

He added: ‘The rules are in place for a reason, if you’re not gonna use them, then why bother having them?’

Two years later and he has been sacked as vice-captain for asking rookie batsman Cameron Bancroft so alter the ball with sticky tape to gain an advantage – causing fans to call him a hypocrite on social media.

Du Plessis twisted the knife on Sunday, saying Warner’s cheating was worse than his.

Disgraced cricket cheat David Warner has been branded a hypocrite for criticising South African ball-tampering before asking a teammate to illegally alter the ball only two years later

Disgraced cricket cheat David Warner has been branded a hypocrite for criticising South African ball-tampering before asking a teammate to illegally alter the ball only two years later

Cricket legend Shane Warne weighed into the scandal in commentary, and said Steve Smith may never captain Australia again (pictured is Cameron Bancroft)

Cricket legend Shane Warne weighed into the scandal in commentary, and said Steve Smith may never captain Australia again (pictured is Cameron Bancroft)

Shane Warne said in commentary he could not see Smith returning as team leader, and Tim Paine should lead the team until a long-term replacement is found (pictured is Cameron Bancroft holding a piece of sandpaper)

Shane Warne said in commentary he could not see Smith returning as team leader, and Tim Paine should lead the team until a long-term replacement is found (pictured is Cameron Bancroft holding a piece of sandpaper)

‘Ball shining versus ball tampering, they’re two very different situations. One is definitely much more serious than the other,’ he said after the Proteas crushed the Australia by 322 runs in the third Test.

But he said he felt sorry for the abuse Warner will be copping from fans: ‘I can understand it’s a really tough time for him to be in right now.  

‘Obviously the situation I was in was really difficult for me as well. Because people were attacking me, my personality and my character,’ du Plessis said.

‘And I felt it was wrong. It wasn’t fair. I don’t know he feels about his own situation.’    

Faf du Plessis leaves the Adelaide Oval after a hearing into ball tampering during the Hobart Test in 2016

Faf du Plessis leaves the Adelaide Oval after a hearing into ball tampering during the Hobart Test in 2016



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