Steve Smith denies ball-tampering after TV pictures show Australia captain appearing to apply lip balm
Batting legend says there is 'nothing in it' despite images showing him wiping his finger across his lip and rubbing at the ball as England go 3-0 up after the third of five ODIs
STEVE SMITH has denied ball-tampering as the Australia skipper comes to terms with a one-day series hammering from England.
The tourists' Ashes tormentor was spotted by TV cameras appearing to wipe lip balm from his mouth onto the ball as England made it 3-0 from three ODIs.
Law 42.3 says players can "polish the ball provided that no artificial substance is used".
But, just as England paceman James Anderson had hit back after ball-tampering claims in the Ashes series, Smith was quick to defend himself.
He said: "There's nothing in it.
"People said something about lip balm but if you look at my lips they're pretty dry. I certainly didn't have any of that on.
"It's just the way I get some spit into the side of my mouth and on to the ball."
The episode diverted attention from another impressive one-day win for England just weeks after their 4-0 mauling in the five-match Test series.
JOS THE TICKET England beat Australia by 16 runs in close finish in ODI in Sydney thanks to Jos Buttler’s century
Jos Buttler's fifth ODI ton led England to a series-winning 3-0 lead as they triumphed by 16 runs.
And in fact Smith was involved in the other moment of big controversy.
He was caught behind off Mark Wood for 45 and seemed ready to walk after wicketkeeper Buttler scraped his right glove under the ball.
On-field official Chris Gaffaney only gave a soft signal of 'out' and asked third umpire Kumar Dharmasena to see if the ball had carried.
Replays were unable to prove the case either way and, as Smith walked off, he shook his head and seemed to say "no way' as boos rang out around the Sydney ground.
Smith said later: "I got given out, so I had to get off the field unfortunately.
"It was probably a good thing, I wasn't hitting them very well anyway. I was shanking them all over the place.
"So it gave someone else the chance to come out and bat and the guys almost got us home."