Gerald Coetzee was found guilty of breaching the ICC Code Of Conduct during the 4th T20I between South Africa and India in the recently-concluded series. In the fourth T20I between South Africa and India, Coetzee was found guilty of breaching Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. This article pertains to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match.”
The incident occurred when Coetzee made an inappropriate remark to the umpire after one of his deliveries was called a ‘wide.’ As a result, he received an official reprimand and had one demerit point added to his disciplinary record. Coetzee admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, avoiding the need for a formal hearing.
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The charge was brought forward by on-field umpires Allahudien Paleker and Stephen Harris, third umpire Lubabalo Gcuma, and fourth umpire Arno Jacobs. Level 1 offences under the ICC Code of Conduct can result in penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a fine of up to 50% of the player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
Scott Edwards and Sufyan Mehmood also penalised
Over the weekend, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards and Oman bowler Sufyan Mehmood were also found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct in their respective matches.
Edwards violated two articles of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third T20I against Oman. The breaches included Article 2.8, showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by displaying his bat to the umpire after being given out LBW. The Netherlands captain was also found guilty of breaching Article 2.2, abusing cricket equipment by throwing his bat and gloves onto the field while heading back to the dressing room.
As a result, Edwards was fined 10% of his match fee and received two demerit points—one for each infraction—which have been added to his disciplinary record.
In the same match, Mehmood was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5, which relates to “using language, actions, or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon their dismissal.” After dismissing Teja Nidamanuru, Mehmood pointed him toward the dressing room in a provocative manner.
Mehmood was fined 10% of his match fee and handed one demerit point. Both players admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Neeyamur Rashid Rahul, negating the need for formal hearings. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Harikrishna Pillai and Rahul Asher, along with third umpire Vinod Babu.
