Kagiso Rabada faces suspension from the second Test against England

In his 18th Test match, Kagiso Rabada didn’t particularly have a good time on the first day, of the opening game of the 3-match series in England; the fast bowler had bowled 15 overs without any success. Then he got the big wicket that of English allrounder Ben Stokes and Rabada was overwhelmed. So much so that he used foul language while sending Stokes off.

That, he didn’t know would cost him a Test match. Rabada had three demerit points in his account for his altercation with Sri Lankan opener Niroshan Dickwella in the 4th ODI the two teams played in South Africa during February this year. He was awarded another demerit for the Stokes incident as he was reported for the “use of inappropriate language” during England’s first innings and with 4 demerits in 24 months he faces a one-match suspension along with a fine of 15 per cent of his match fees.

ICC media release stated:

The Protea fast bowler was found guilty of breaching article 2.1.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Player and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an International Match”.

As Rabada had received a 50 per cent fine and three demerit points in the fourth One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Cape Town on 8 February 2017, with the addition of this one demerit point, he has reached the threshold of four demerit points, which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have now been converted into two suspension points. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.

As such, Rabada has been suspended from his side’s second Test against England, which will be played at Tent Bridge from 14-18 July.

Following this suspension, the four demerit points will remain on Rabada’s disciplinary record. If he reaches the next threshold of eight or more demerit points within a 24-month period, then they will be converted into four suspension points. Four suspension points equate to a ban from one Test and two ODIs or two T20Is, two Tests or four ODIs or four T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.

Thursday’s incident related to Rabada using inappropriate language after dismissing England batsman Ben Stokes, which were audible over the stump microphones and also resulted in the batsman to turn before walking off the field.

Rabada admitted the offence on Friday afternoon and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charges were leveled by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and S.Ravi, third umpire Simon Fry and fourth official Rob Bailey.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.