Ben Stokes was fined 15 percent of his match fee for his altercation with Sabbir Rahman © Associated Press
Ben Stokes, the England allrounder, has been fined 15 percent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur.
The incident happened during the morning session on Sunday when Stokes ignored the on-field umpires’ requests to stop “verbally engaging” with Bangladesh batsman Sabbir Rahman. The on-field umpires – Kumar Dharmasena and S Ravi – had also advised England captain Alastair Cook of Stokes’ actions but, in the words of the ICC media release, “the player didn’t comply with the instructions”.
Sabbir and Stokes were involved in a heated passage of play, with Sabbir taking the attack to Stokes’ bowling and Stokes beating his bat on a couple of occasions. Each time, Stokes treated the unflustered Sabbir to a piece of his mind.
As a result, Stokes was found to have violated Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”.
In addition to the sanction imposed for his breach of Article 2.1.1, one demerit point has been added to Stokes’ disciplinary record. If Stokes reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they will be converted into suspension points and he will be banned. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.
Stokes admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.
All level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official warning, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo