Shock to South Africa after defeat to India, ICC punishes bowler

Dubai. Host South Africa suffered a crushing defeat in the T20 series against the Indian team. Team India won the series by 3-1 in the 4-match series. South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was reprimanded for protesting against the umpire’s decision in the fourth match against India in Johannesburg. International Cricket Council (ICC) gave this information on Tuesday.

Coetzee made inappropriate comments after one of his/her balls was declared ‘wide’ by the umpire. The ICC said, “Gerald Coetzee was found guilty of breaching Rule 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct relating to players and player support staff during the fourth T20 between India and South Africa. It is related to protesting against the umpire’s decision during an international match.

“Coetzee was reprimanded and one demerit point was added to his/her disciplinary record,” the ICC said. “he/she pleaded guilty and accepted the punishment proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so no formal hearing was required.”

On-field umpires Allahuddin Palekar and Stephen Harris, third umpire Lubabalo Gakuma and fourth umpire Arno Jacobs made charges against the bowler. The minimum penalty for a level one breach is an official reprimand while the maximum penalty is 50 per cent of the player’s match fee and one or two demerit points.
When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period they are converted to suspension points. The player is banned. Two suspension points equates to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20 Internationals, whichever comes first for the player.