Nathan Lyon charged with Level I breach for throwing ball at AB de Villiers

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Bengaluru, March 5: The ICC charged Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon for throwing the ball at AB de Villiers during the fourth day of the opening Test between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead, Durban, on Sunday (March 4).

After dislodging the bails to run out de Villiers, Lyon dropped the ball and it touched the chest of the former South Africa skipper as he had dived back to make his ground.

Lyon has been charged with a Level 1 breach, which could see the off-spinner fined up to 50 percent of his match fee and getting slapped with up to two demerit points.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said Lyon has been in touch with de Villiers. The two were seen at Kingsmead prior to the play starting on Monday (March 5) and shaking hands.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith said Lyon's actions unnecessary. "The Aussies were pretty fired up at that time pushing for a victory," Smith told cricket.com.au.

"But he (Lyon) is an experienced cricketer. I think he'll probably say it was unnecessary himself," said Smith.