AUS vs SA 2025: Zampa faces ICC sanction for verbal obscenity

Pro spinner Adam Zampa has been pulled up by the International Cricket Council after he was found guilty of breaching Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during the first ODI of the ongoing three-match series between Australia and South Africa.

Article 2.3 relates to the 'use of an audible obscenity during an international match'. This was the first time Zampa had been reprimanded in a 24-month period. A demerit point has been added to the leg-spinner's disciplinary record.

For the unversed, the incident for which he has been sanctioned occurred in the 37th over of South Africa's batting innings in Cairns. The 33-year-old leg-spinner used derogatory remarks post a mis-field and overthrow off his bowling. Zampa's words were picked up by the stump mic and broadcasted on air by the television channel as well.

The spinner admitted to his offence after the match and accepted the penalty proposed by ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, Andy Pycroft. The minimum penalty of a Level 1 breach is an official reprimand, the maximum is a 50 per cent match fee and one/two demerit points.

Speaking about how the first ODI panned out, Australia ended up facing a heavy 98-run loss against the Proteas. The Temba Bavuma-led unit recorded their biggest win by runs against the Aussies in ODIs. Zampa ended with figures of 1/58 in 10 overs. He also added 11 off 18 with the bat, but to no avail, as it didn't help the team's cause.

In fact, Zampa scored more than Marnus Labuschagne (1 off 6), Cameron Green (3 off 8), Josh Inglis (5 off 9), Alex Carey (0 off 1) and Aaron Hardie (4 off 10). Earlier in the game, he had dismissed one of South Africa's three half-centurions, in the form of Matthew Breetzke (57 off 56), breaking the latter's partnership with skipper Temba Bavuma.

Keshav Maharaj put in a career-best bowling performance to record 5/33 in 10 overs, including a maiden over. This performance has put him right on top of the ICC ODI bowler rankings. Meanwhile, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh was the lone warrior for his team. He notched up 88 runs off 96 deliveries. Australia were bowled out for 198 in 40.5 overs.