England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler could face an ICC fine after being caught using cuss words against Vernon Philander on the stump-mic during Day 5 of 2nd Test match at Cape Town.
The stump microphone picked Buttler calling Vernon Philander a ‘f***ing k***head’ as tension mounted with England chasing victory.
Philander had frustrated England with a fighting 51-ball 8 runs and Buttler hurled abuses at the retiring South African cricketer when Philander blocked the former’s view from an incoming throw.
When Buttler was collecting a throw from the mid-off fielder, Philander was unaware of the throw and when he realized it at the last second, he tried to evade. Buttler, after collecting the ball, quickly threw it back to the bowler but started a rant against the veteran all-rounder.
Sky Sports’ commentator Michael Atherton apologized for any offense caused, with Buttler also heard telling Philander it was hard for the ball to ‘get past that f***ing gut’.
However, Philander’s efforts could not save his team as England subdued a stubborn South Africa to win a thrilling second Test by 189 runs late on day five on Tuesday, their first victory at Newlands since 1957.
South Africa pacer Dale Steyn retweeted the video of the aforementioned incident, captioning it “Well, that was loud and clear.”
England skipper Joe Root played down the incident, saying ill-feeling would not sour relations between both teams.
“I don’t think it was anything serious,” Root said. “It was just two guys playing hard Test cricket. Emotions were running quite high and I don’t think anyone overstepped the mark. You want a bit of spice on the TV anyway, don’t you?”
