CAPETOWN,  (Reuters) – South Africa batsman AB de  Villiers kept the ball-tampering controversy simmering after the  fourth day of the third test against England  yesterday.

The hosts were closing on a series-levelling victory but De  Villers said they should have made an official complaint about  the incident in which England bowler Stuart Broad appeared to  stand on the ball during the third day.

South Africa raised concerns over the condition of the ball  with match referee Roshan Mahanama but the International Cricket  Council issued a statement saying there was no evidence of any  wrongdoing.

“Climbing on the ball with your spikes is obviously not on,”  De Villiers told reporters.

“We’d all like to get the ball reversing and swinging all  over the place but it must be done legally. I thought we did  make an official complaint because (coach) Mickey Arthur said he  had sent an email through.

“There should have been an official complaint because the  ball clearly started reversing after Broad stepped on it and you  could see a piece of leather was out the ball.

“It was a bit naughty, I’m not saying Stuart should be  banned or anything but it certainly deserves to be looked at,”  De Villiers added.

NO ACTION

South Africa manager Mohammed Moosajee said the team had  accepted Mahanama’s decision that no further action be taken but still believed the condition of the ball had been altered.

“We are satisfied and will not take the matter further but  we were concerned about the condition of the ball as early as  the 15th over when it started to reverse-swing,” he said.