Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc fined by ICC

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc fined by ICC: Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council, hours after Australia’s 208-run first Test win over New Zealand in Brisbane.

Starc was fined for breaching Level 2 of ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel after he received a straight drive from Mark Craig in his follow-through and threw the ball back in the direction of the stumps.

Starc was found in breach of Article 2.2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct by match referee Roshan Mahanama, which covers the offence for ‘throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match’.

It is the second time in the year that Starc has fallen foul of match officials, after being reprimanded for his send-off, described as an “exaggerated celebration”, to India’s Murali Vijay during the Sydney Test, last summer.

Starc admitted the offence and accepted the sanction, which carries a minimum penalty of a fine between 50-100 per cent.

After the match, captain Steve Smith said he will have a talk with the fast bowler.

“I thought it was pretty disappointing,” Smith said post-match.

“He’s done it a few times and I’m going to have a word to him when I get back down in the sheds.”

“I don’t think it was necessary at the time and hopefully he can improve and get better from that.” he added.