Shamsi, Wade fined for incident in fourth ODI

Tabraiz Shamsi and Matthew Wade were involved in – AFP

ESPNcricinfo: South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi and Australia’s Matthew Wade have both been fined 25% of their match fees after a verbal exchange and subsequent physical altercation during the fourth ODI at Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

The incident occurred in the 17th over of Australia’s innings when Wade pushed a single to long-on off the South African spin bowler. The pair, who had a verbal exchange earlier in the over, made physical contact as Wade ran down the pitch for a single. After the run was completed, South Africa captain Faf du Plessis complained to the umpires after which on-field umpire Nigel Llong spoke with both Shamsi and Wade before play continued.

Both the players were found to have breached Article 2.1.1 of the ICC code of conduct which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nigel Llong, third umpire Joel Wilson and fourth umpire Shaun George.

Wade admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by ICC match referee Chris Broad. However, Shamsi pleaded not guilty and, as such, a formal hearing took place in the team hotel in which video evidence was also used.

In addition to the fine, one demerit point has been added to Shamsi and Wade’s disciplinary records. If either of the two are given four demerit points within the next two years then that will be converted into at least two suspension points which carry a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20 internationals, depending on the fixture schedule.