South Africa fined for slow over-rate in Antigua T20I

London:

Graeme Smith-led South African team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its 13-run win over West Indies in the first Twenty20 International in Antigua on Wednesday.

South African were one over short of their target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into consideration. The Players were fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side failed to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

Hence Smith has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee while his players receive 10-per-cent fines. Smith was guilty of a similar offence in T20Is during the ICC World Twenty20 2010 and, under the terms of the ICC Code of Conduct, if he is found guilty of three in total in this format of the game over a 12-month period, he will automatically receive a one-match suspension.

The offence is contrary to Article 2.5.1 of the code which relates to minor over-rate offences. The penalty was accepted by South Africa without contest so there was no need for a hearing.