Lewis’ actions will come under scrutiny.

An extra five runs were added to South Australia’s score when ex-Australian quick Lewis appeared to scrape the ball against a concrete gutter when the home side’s opener Mark Cosgrove dispatched the ball to the fence in the SACA’s second innings.

The ball was changed one over later in the 12th when the umpires decided its condition had been artificially changed. If Lewis was guilty of such an offence, it is likely he was trying to scuff up one side of the ball to help his bowlers generate reverse swing earlier than normal in the innings.

Two of South Australia’s favourite sons in Jason Gillespie and Greg Blewett — both of whom had distinguished careers with the national side — were highly critical of Lewis.

South Australian High Performance Co-ordinator Simon Cain was even more scathing of the incident, with Ryan Harris re-tweeting him and former skipper Michael Clarke also confused by the situation.

Injured paceman Mitchell Starc and NSW opener Ed Cowan also weighed in on the matter.

Match official Steve Bernard issued a statement on the matter. “The umpires had determined that the condition of the ball had been deliberately altered,” he said. “Under the laws of cricket they imposed the five run penalty against the Victorian side and replaced the ball.”

Lewis later pled guilty to ball tampering and was fined $2266 — an amount equal to 50 per cent of a player’s match fee.

“Ball tampering is a very serious offence and simply won’t be tolerated at any level of the game,” Cricket Australia’s head of operations Sean Cary said. “Match Referee Steve Bernard addressed the matter as soon as it was brought to his attention, spoke at length to Mick Lewis about it and has handed down the subsequent penalty.

“We acknowledge that he has apologised to the South Australian team and the match officials and hope the matter deters others from doing anything like this in the future.”

Victoria is in a strong position to claim the Shield title after reducing South Australia to 4-137 at stumps on day three — giving the home side a lead of 78.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Jon Holland was the chief destroyer in the second dig, taking three scalps with captain Matthew Wade responsible for the other wicket to fall, running out first drop Sam Raphael.

The visitors posted 399 in their first go with the bat courtesy of Peter Handscomb’s century and Cameron White’s valuable 78. The Australian discard combined with number 10 Holland for a crucial 54-run stand — of which the tweaker contributed just 12 — to give the Vics momentum heading into their second effort with the ball.

Redbacks opener Jake Weatherald is unbeaten on 72, following up his good form in the first innings when he scored 66. Alex Ross (72) and Alex Carey (50) were the other heroes of that dig, and their teammates will be hoping they can repeat the dose if they’re to build a decent lead and give their bowlers something to bowl at on a wearing wicket in the final two days.