Vernon Philander has denied posting a tweet in which he accuses Australia captain Steve Smith of causing the incident which got Kagiso Rabada banned.
In the first tweet put out in his name, Philander says Smith could have avoided contact with Rabada and, using football terms, says he ‘gave KG the shoulder’.
The tweet added: ‘He could have avoided any contact but to me he is just as guilty. Trying some football skills to get a penalty??? Pity he didn’t dive to top it off.’
But Philander put out a tweet early Thursday morning saying his account had been hacked.
The tweet drew a lot of reaction, much of it negative.
Good morning all my tweeps. Waking up this morning to alot of twitter craziness as my acc got hacked and someone posted a nice little article on my behalf. Sorry for all the drama or entertainment caused by the looks of it. Have a great day all.
— Vernon Philander (@VDP_24) March 15, 2018
Havent really seen the fotage of this incident but by the looks of this…Steve Smith gave KG the shoulder. He could have avoided any contact but to me he is just as guilty. Trying some football skills to get a penalty??? Pity he didnt dive to top it off. pic.twitter.com/eWapKlkMUE
— Vernon Philander (@VDP_24) March 14, 2018
Rabada is appealing against the verdict that he made ‘inappropriate contact’ with Smith – earning him three demerit points – which took his haul to eight and triggered an automatic ban.
The ICC now has 48 hours to appoint a judicial commissioner and once that appointment has been made, a hearing will be held within seven days.
