ON a rather dull day in the field for Australia, in which South Africa controlled the opening two sessions on day one, one moment caused a stir with the locals.

Dean Elgar (121 not out) and AB de Villiers (64) put the Australian attack to the sword and continually picked apart the gaps in the field as the locals finished 8-266 - but it was a moment caught by TV cameras that had tongues wagging.

Pat Cummins could be sent a “please explain” after footage emerged showing him standing on the ball.

Former South African skipper Graeme Smith stated the incident was done “accidentally on purpose”.

In a series with more controversies than a season of Home and Away, it seems there may be another chapter to come.

As replays of the incident hit the screens inside the stadium, the cameras panned to show the South African changerooms and there wasn’t a happy face to be found.

Local broadcaster and South Africans very interested in Pat Cummins stepping on ball.



Faf and Vernon, who both have form in this area, took particular interest.



Super Sports giving the incident plenty of attention. — Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 22, 2018

Of course Cummins didn’t cop any heat from the umpires following the stomping, but again as this series has shown us the umpires original decision, isn’t always the final decision.

Cummins played down the incident when he addressed the media after the day’s play.

“It was just a mistake,” Cummins said.

“(I) looked straight back (at the umpire) and he just had a giggle.

“(It was) obviously very unintentional. (The umpire) had a look (at the ball) straight away and obviously there was no issue and he passed it on.”

If Pat Cummins was in any trouble for treading on the ball, the umpires could have already added five runs to the SAfrica total and changed the ball. Neither of these things has happened... #SAvAUS — Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) March 22, 2018

Don’t step on the ball with your spikes @patcummins30 Play cricket in the spirit of the game and use your skills to try get the batsmen out. #sscricket #SAvsAUS #RSAvAUS — SA Sports Fan (@SASportsFan1) March 22, 2018