Faf du Plessis accuses Steve Smith of milking like soccer player fast bowler cited sandpapergate

Former South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis has sensationally accused Steve Smith of ‘milking’ his infamous run in with Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada during the ‘Sandpapergate’ series.

Before the ball-tampering saga in Cape Town, Rabada found himself in trouble for making physical contact with Smith after dismissing him in the second Test at St George’s Park.

 In his recently released autobiography, the former Proteas captain (pictured) accused Smith of making the most of incident

Smith reacted immediately the contact and the International Cricket Council handed down a two-match suspension to Rabada – which was later overturned in a six-hour appeal hearing, allowing him to play the rest of the series.

In his recently released autobiography, the former Proteas captain accused Smith of making the most of incident.

 ‘This episode has almost been forgotten against the backdrop of what the series still had up its sleeve, or more accurately, down its trousers,’ wrote du Plessis.

 ‘They brushed shoulders during one of KG’s overs but Smith milked it like a football player.’

 Proteas fast bowler Vernon Philander was another to accuse Smith of making the most of the contact during the Test.

Smith said at the time: ‘The contact was harder than it actually looked on the TV. Whether it was intentional or not that’s not for me to decide.

Smith said at the time: ‘The contact was harder than it actually looked on the TV. Whether it was intentional or not that’s not for me to decide’

‘I was going down the other end of the wicket to speak to Shaun (Marsh) who was in with me at the time. I think when you’ve got someone out you’ve already won the battle. There’s no need to go over the top. I was walking down the other end of the wicket, I certainly didn’t change my line or anything.

‘… The ICC have set the standard, haven’t they? There was clearly contact out in the middle. I certainly won’t be telling my bowlers to go out there and after you take a wicket go and get in their space. I don’t think that is on and part of the game.’

Rabada recently told News Corp that he will stay tight-lipped about the infamous incident until after he’s retied.

 ‘What’s happened has happened,’ said Rabada.

Rabada (pictured) recently said that he will stay tight-lipped about the infamous incident until after he’s retied

‘I am not going to say anything now. After my career I might talk a bit more about it and look back at what happened. But at the moment we will move on.

‘It was definitely a Test series I will never forget and things did not end too well off the field.’

Smith said earlier this week that the South African bowlers have given him more trouble than any other attack he’s faced – but he won’t be put off if Rabada gets in his face again. 

‘Nah, I guess it’s all part of it. Chill out and go about your business and try and play,’ said Smith.

‘That’s pretty much it. Just play the game.

‘He’s (Rabada) a competitor. He’s a terrific bowler. You just have to look at his record and he’s always at you.’