No evidence of ball tampering, says ICC

Match officials have found no evidence of ball tampering in the Hobart Test between Australia and Sri Lanka and no charges will be laid, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday.

Australia paceman Peter Siddle took nine wickets to help the hosts to a 137-run victory in the series opener but found himself at the centre of row after a picture of him apparently picking at the seam of the ball circulated on social media.

“The umpires frequently inspect the ball during play, and did so again after they had reviewed the video footage in question on Sunday,” ICC match referee Chris Broad said in a statement. “They found no evidence to suggest that the condition of the ball had been changed.”