Jayden Seales reprimanded for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Kingston.

Seales was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The ICC is the international federation responsible for the global governance of the sport of cricket and the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel (the ‘Code of Conduct’) is adopted and implemented as part of the ICC’s continuing efforts to maintain the public image, popularity and integrity of cricket by providing: (a) an effective means to deter any participant from conducting themselves improperly on and off the ‘field-of-play’ or in a manner that is contrary to the ‘spirit of cricket’; and (b) a robust disciplinary procedure pursuant to which all matters of improper conduct can be dealt with fairly, with certainty and in an expeditious manner

Article 2.5 relates to “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage, or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Seales, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

The incident occurred in the 70^th over of Pakistan’s first innings, after the dismissal of batter Hasan Ali, when Seales used inappropriate language towards Hasan which could have provoked an aggressive reaction from him.

Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction, which was ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations. Seales pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Gregory Brathwaite, Joel Wilson, Nigel Duguid and TV umpire Leslie Reifer. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of a fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.