6 Jan 2010

Broad and his boot in the spotlight

10:51 am on 6 January 2010

The England fast bowler Stuart Broad is in the spotlight after television pictures showed him appearing to put the spikes of his boot into the ball during the third day's play in the third Test against South Africa at Newlands.

A South African team spokesman says the matter's been raised with match referee and it will be up to him to decide on any further action.

England coach Andy Flower said he had not heard anything from match referee Roshan Mahanama or the umpires.

Broad stopped a rolling ball with the bottom of his boot and appeared to then step hard on it but Flower says he doesn't believe there was anything sinister about his action.

Asked whether the matter could lead to allegations that the ability of the England bowlers to gain reverse swing early in an innings had been helped by illegal methods, Flower responded sharply: "Without a doubt, our bowlers have done it with skill."

At the close of play South Africa was 312 for two in its second innings an overall lead of 330.

England lead the series one nil.