South Africa fined for slow over-rate in second ODI against India

South Africa have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against India in the second ODI in Paarl on Friday. Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Temba Bavuma’s side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Bavuma pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Adrien Holdstock, third umpire Bongani Jele and fourth umpire Allauhudien Palekar levelled the charge.

South Africa take unassailable 2-0 lead

Meanwhile, India slipped to their fourth consecutive defeat in the series, with South Africa taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series. The Proteas, who clinched the first ODI while defending a target, ensured they did not drop the guard while chasing in the second as India won the toss and set 288 for then on the back of Rishabh Pant’s 71-ball 85 and KL Rahul’s 79-ball 55.

In pursuit of nearly a run-a-ball target, South Africa were kept in the hunt by Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan, who notched up a solid 132-run opening stand in 22 overs. de Kock was cut short for 78 off 66 by Thakur, who trapped him lbw but Malan continued milking runs alongside skipper Temba Bavuma in another crucial stand for the second wicket before chopping on Japsrit Bumrah to miss a well-deserved century by just nine runs.

Soon afterwards, skipper Bavuma gave Yuzvendra Chahal a simple return catch but Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen’s 37-run knocks ensured that the efforts of their teammates did not go waste, with South Africa clinching the game with seven wickets and 11 balls to spare. The teams will next meet in Cape Town on January 23 in the third and final rubber.