Kagiso Rabada who was earlier reported for a level 1 offense for the send-off given to David Warner during the third day of the Port Elizabeth Test has now been suspended for the last two tests and hence the ongoing test series versus Australia.
ICC had stated earlier that the hearing will be conducted about the issue. And now it”s results can be seen.
Rabada has been found guilty of a Level 2 ICC Code of Conduct offense of ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player’, ICC stated in their official media release.
He has received a fine of 50 percent of his match fee and three demerit points as well has been added as being found after the disciplinary hearing. As Kagiso had earlier denied the charges.
This meant Rabada accumulating eight demerit points within the period of two years(24 months) leading to a two-match suspension as per the rules.
The infamous incident took place in the 52nd over of the 1st Australian innings when after taking Steve Smith”s wicket, Rabada made a physical contact with the batsmen on his way to his teammates standing in slips. This was found very offensive.
Jeff Crowe, the member of the elite ICC match referees panel said, “I found that there was contact between Rabada and Smith, and in my judgment, the contact with Rabada was inappropriate and deliberate. He had the opportunity to avoid the contact, and I could not see any evidence to support the argument that the contact was accidental.
“It is also disappointing that this has happened the day after the pre-match meeting I had with both teams, where the importance of respect for opponents was highlighted.
“I take no pleasure in seeing a player suspended, particularly a young player of Kagiso’s talent, but he has now breached the ICC Code of Conduct on a number of occasions.”
Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh the Australian all-rounder has been fined 20 percent of his match fee because of “using language or gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match.” the ICC release has stated.
No hearing was needed for this, though. As Mitchell accept his charge. One demerit point has added against his name for this as well.
