Ishant Sharma fined for disciplinary breach in 2nd Test

Ishant Sharma fined for disciplinary breach in 2nd Test: Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma has been fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct by provoking two batsmen soon after their dismissals in the ongoing second cricket Test against Sri Lanka. The International Cricket Council on Sunday said that Sharma was fined a total of 65 percent of his match fee.

Sharma was charged with breaching Level 1 Article 2.1.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to using language, actions or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his dismissal during an International Match.

“Sharma was fined 15 percent of his match fee when he first provoked Lahiru Thirimanne following his dismissal. He was then fined a further 50 percent of his match fee for also provoking for Dinesh Chandimal following his dismissal three overs later,” an ICC statement said.

While sanctioning Sharma for the second of the two offences, match referee Andy Pycroft noted that the circumstances surrounding the second incident, including the more aggressive nature of the conduct, warranted a higher sanction than the first of the two offences. The charges were laid by on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Rod Tucker, and third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge.

Following the close of play on Sunday, Sharma admitted the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions and there was no need for a formal hearing. If Sharma commits a further breach of Article 2.1.7 within 12 months, it will amount to his third offence and, as such, he will face a sanction of between two and eight Suspension Points. On Saturday, Thirimanne had been fined 30 percent of his fees for showing dissent at the umpire’s decision after being given out. The exact amount of fines was not disclosed since match fees of the players are not made public. Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Galle by 63 runs.