South African captain Faf du Plessis says outsmarting Australia and David Warner with a sudden declaration was down to luck.
Du Plessis' shrewd move prevented Warner from opening the batting in Australia's innings late on Thursday's opening day of the third Test in Adelaide.
The Proteas skipper was 118 not out, and his side 9-259, when he chanced upon a conversation between umpires and Warner.
The Australian batsman had just returned to the field after a stint off for a period of time getting treatment on an injured shoulder.
Under cricket's rules, a player must be on the field for the same time they spent off it before being able to bowl or bat again - in Warner's case, he was caught short.
"I listened to the conversation he had with the umpires - one ear talking to the batter, one ear listening to him," du Plessis told reporters.
"And then I heard he had six minutes left before he could bat again so I thought 'let's have a crack'."
Du Plessis said it was a "bit of luck" that he heard the conversation - he then promptly declared, leaving Warner unable to open Australia's innings.
Usman Khawaja was shuffled into the opening slot with Test debutant Matt Renshaw and the pair survived until stumps.
Warner would take responsibility for the blunder and apologise to his teammates, Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood said.
"He was off for obviously too long, so they messed the timings up," Hazlewood told reporters.
"The guys were a little bit annoyed, especially Smithy (captain Steve Smith) and Usi who had to go out and bat.
"It's just one of those things. It rarely happens but it happened today."
Hazlewood said it was up to the player himself to judge time spent off the field and any potential repercussions.
"You know the rules and he was just off the field for too long so he will hold himself accountable, that is how Davey goes," he said.
"He will know he did the wrong thing and apologise to the group."
Share
