Cricket

An understrength South Africa has taken a 1-0 lead over Australia in the three-match ODI series, bowling the Aussies out for 230 to win by 67 runs in Durban.

Read more Football

But it was late in the South African innings (8-297) that the fuse was lit for what shapes as a feisty month of cricket between the two fierce rivals when Aussie quick Nathan Ellis took exception to a questionable piece of sportsmanship from Protea’s batsmen Matthew Breetzke and Marco Jansen.

Breetzke played and missed off Ellis in the 47th over, with Aussie keeper Josh Inglis taking a shy at the stumps. 

Instead of hitting the stumps however, the ball hit a turning Breetzke in the back and Jansen called his partner through for a cheeky single as the ball rebounded, much to the displeasure of Ellis with words and glares exchanged mid-pitch.

MORE: Where to watch Australia vs. South Africa: Live stream, TV channel, schedule for Tests and ODI matches

Read more Golf

“I’m not sure you should be running through for that one, it’s hit him,” South African legend Shaun Pollock observed on the Fox Cricket coverage.

While perfectly legal under the laws of the cricket, the practice of running after a throw hits a batsmen has long been frowned upon.

The very next ball Jansen smashed Ellis straight down the ground for four, with Ellis confronting the Proteas all-rounder once again as boos rang out around Kingsmead Stadium.

“It’s kicking off here,” Pollock noted as tensions continued to rise.

Indeed it was, no doubt offering just a small taste of what’s to come when the three-match Test series begins next month.

Read more NRL