adminCAPE TOWN, March 25. — Stand-in Australia captain Tim Paine apologised for the ball-tampering controversy that has overshadowed the third Test after South Africa seamer Morne Morkel ripped through the visitors’ batting line-up to inflict a 322-run defeat yesterday.
The scandal-hit Australia team, which has been caught up in a storm ever since Steve Smith confessed on Saturday that senior players in the side hatched a plan to tamper with the ball, were booed and whistled throughout the day as they were skittled out for 107 in their second innings.
Morkel picked up five wickets for 23 runs as the hosts took a 2-1 lead in the tempestuous four-match series. Paine, drafted in to lead the side after Smith and vice captain David Warner stood down before the start of play on Sunday, apologised for the incident that has been condemned around the world. — Reuters
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