Gerald Coetzee was convicted of violating the ICC Code of Conduct during the recent fourth T20I between India and South Africa which was played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, on November 15. Coetzee was found guilty of violating Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. "Showing dissent at an umpire's decision during an international match" is what the article is about.
After one of Coetzee's deliveries was deemed 'wide', he made an improper remark to the umpire, which led to the incident. He was thus given a formal reprimand and had one demerit point added to his record of disciplinary actions. Coetzee acknowledged the offence and agreed to the penalty suggested by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, thus avoiding a need for any formal hearing.
Third umpire Lubabalo Gcuma, fourth umpire Arno Jacobs, and on-field umpires Stephen Harris and Allahudien Paleker brought the charges. Penalties for Level 1 violations of the ICC Code of Conduct include one or two demerit points, an official reprimand, and a fine of up to 50% of the player's match fee.
Scott Edwards and Sufyan Mehmood penalised as well
Both Oman spinner Sufyan Mehmood and Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards were found guilty of violating the ICC Code of Conduct during their respective matches over the weekend. During the third T20I against Oman, Edwards broke two rules of the ICC Code of Conduct. Article 2.8 violations included presenting his bat to the umpire after being given out LBW in order to express disapproval of the judgment. In addition, the Netherlands captain was found guilty of violating Article 2.2 by flinging his bat and gloves onto the field as he was making his way back to the dressing room.
Consequently, Edwards received two demerit points, one for each infraction, and a 10% fine of his match fee, all of which have been added to his disciplinary record. Article 2.5, which deals with 'using language, actions, or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon their dismissal' was violated by Mehmood in the same match. Teja Nidamanuru was dismissed, and Mehmood provocatively gestured him into the dressing room.
Mehmood received one demerit point and a 10% fine of his match fee. There was no need for official hearings because both players acknowledged their transgressions and agreed to the penalties suggested by match referee Neeyamur Rashid Rahul. Third umpire Vinod Babu and on-field referees Rahul Asher and Harikrishna Pillai made the accusations.
