South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been handed a two-Test match suspension after being found guilty of a Level 2 ICC Code of Conduct offence for deliberate and inappropriate physical contact with an opponent.
Rabada has also been fined 50% of his match fee and was awarded three demerit points following a disciplinary hearing, despite initially contesting the charge.
This penalty marks Rabada’s accumulation of eight demerit points within 24 months, resulting in an automatic two-match ban. The incident occurred during Australia’s second Test match, in the 52nd over of their first innings, where Rabada made contact with Steve Smith while moving towards the slips.
Additionally, Rabada accepted a second charge for using provocative language and gestures aimed at a batsman after dismissal, resulting in a further 15% fine and an extra demerit point, bringing his total to nine.
On the other side, Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was fined 20% of his match fee and received one demerit point for a Level 1 offence concerning obscene or insulting language or gestures during an international match. Marsh admitted the offence, so no formal hearing was necessary.
ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe stated, “I found that the contact between Rabada and Smith was deliberate and inappropriate. Rabada had the chance to avoid the contact, and there’s no evidence it was accidental. It’s disappointing since we just had a pre-match meeting emphasising respect for opponents.” He added, “While it’s unfortunate to suspend a talented young cricketer like Kagiso, repeated breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct have consequences.”
The charges were brought forward by on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Kumar Dharmasena, third umpire Sundaram Ravi, and fourth umpire Bongani Jele.
