Sam Curran, a fast bowler for England, was penalised 15 percent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct during England’s second one-day international match against South Africa on January 29 in Bloemfontein. The match took place on that day.
It was determined that Sam Curran had violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.
This provision addresses the use of any language, action, or gesture toward a batter upon their dismissal that has the potential to provoke an aggressive reaction from the dismissed batter.
In addition to this, one point of demerit has been added to Sam Curran disciplinary record because it was the first offence he had committed in the preceding twenty-four months.
The incident took place in the 28th over of South Africa’s innings, when, after removing Temba Bavuma, Sam Curran unduly celebrated towards and in close proximity to the dismissed batter. This action had the potential to create an angry reaction from Bavuma, which led to the altercation.
Since Sam Curran admitted to committing the offence and accepted the punishment that was suggested by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, there was no requirement for a formal hearing to take place.
The charge was brought under control by the on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Adrian Holdstock, as well as the third umpire Bongani Jele and the fourth umpire Allahudien Palekar.
Infractions at the Level 1 level are subject to a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of fifty percent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points, depending on the severity of the infraction.
“If a player accumulates four or more demerit points during a period of twenty-four months, those points are turned into suspension points, and the player is then barred from the game.
Two suspension points result in an automatic exclusion from either one test match, two one-day internationals, or two Twenty20 Internationals, depending on which event occurs first for the player.
Demerit Points will be recorded on the disciplinary history of a Player or Player Support Personnel for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date they were imposed, after which they will be removed from the record “according to the statement that was distributed by ICC.
South Africa now holds a 2-0 lead in the one-day international series, which will continue with a match against England at Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Wednesday.