Steve Smith charged for dissent by ICC

Steve Smith led Australia took over its superiority in the Test format as they reaching the top of the Test rankings after they beat New Zealand by 7 wickets to clinch the Trans-Tasman series. However, the joy suffered a dent after the skipper was charged with dissent for his role in the confrontation with the on-field umpire and was charge fined 30 percent of his match fees.

The incident also involved Josh Hazlewood, who was later fined 15 percent of his match fees for swearing. The governing body determining the Australia captain broke the Code of Conduct by “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match”.

The ICC found both Smith and fast bowler, Josh Hazlewood guilty after the pair confronted umpire Ranmore Martinesz when a decision went against them on the 4th day of the 2nd Test at Hagley Oval on Tuesday.

Umpire Martinez to deny Josh Hazlewood’s strong leg before appeal against Kane Williamson. But, Hazlewood and skipper Smith were convinced and asked for a review.

The ‘hot-spot’ technology showed Williamson had got a thin inside edge onto his pad, so ball tracking was not examined. The big screen did not show a clear picture of the hot-spot which infuriated Hazlewood, with stump microphones capturing his expletive-laden outburst. The captain then confronted the umpire over the issue.

Smith said he had only sought clarification from Martinez as to why other technology had not been used to confirm the decision on the field.

“I thought I was well within my rights to go up to the umpire and ask him why we didn’t use the Real Time Snicko,” Smith told reporters after play.

“They didn’t use the Real Time Snicko – I thought that they should have in this instance and they didn’t do that and that’s what I was questioning the umpire for.”

“I need to be better as a leader; I need to set the example, and that wasn’t good enough, I guess.”

The Australians were booed by the crowd after the incident, while former players were divided on social media as to whether the tourists had overstepped the mark.

“I don’t think we’re not nice guys,” Smith said of Australia, who have previously been accused of pushing the boundaries of sportsmanship and criticized for sledging.

“We play a good, hard, aggressive brand of cricket. “For us it’s about knowing where that line is and myself and Josh Hazlewood have crossed that line in this Test match and that’s not what we’re about. “

“Hopefully, we can learn from that and continue to develop as a team and get better.”