England star Jos Buttler is facing disciplinary action after he was overhead calling South African Vernon Philander a “f****** k*******”.
Wicket-keeper Buttler was left furious as Philander as he attempted to quickly pass the ball back to spin bowler Dom Bess – as England attempted to rush through the overs to secure a victory.
The World Cup winner was caught by stump mics using the offensive language.
Buttler appeared to say to to Philander, who is retiring from international cricket at the end of the series: “F****** move. Fucking knobhead.”
Ben Stokes added from slip: “Let’s just get him out”
(Image: SkySports)
Buttler then expanded: “Can’t get past that f****** gut!”
The pair continued their conversation away from the stumps between overs, with non-striking batsman Dwaine Pretorius intervening.
“Using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting” is a Level 1 offence on the ICC Cricket Code of Conduct.
If found guilty, Buttler will be fined between 0 per cent and 50 per cent of his match fee.
(Image: SkySports)
Sky Sports, who were broadcasting the game in the United Kingdom, were forced to apologise for the swearing.
England went on to claim the remaining three wickets, thanks to Stokes’ heroics, to secure a 189 run victory – which squared the series after two Tests.
Stokes took the last three wickets as England subdued a stubborn South Africa to win at Newlands for the first time since 1957.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen had frustrated England for 44 overs before Stokes provided late drama to finish the match with 8.2 overs to spare and level the four-match series.
The win will be especially pleasing for England for the way they stuck to their task on a flat fifth-day wicket, with Stokes’s superb burst earning the all-rounder figures of 3-35.
“A great day’s play and a great test match,” England seamer Stuart Broad told Sky Sports. “We had to work incredibly hard, we knew we were going to have to do that.
“It was incredible discipline from South Africa throughout the day but we kept saying one bit of magic.
“We set some funky fields. One breakthrough and we could apply some pressure. You need a lot of character and skill to chase 10 wickets. We are proud of taking our chances.”
