England pacer Stuart Broad fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

England fast bowler Stuart Broad has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test against Pakistan in Manchester.

Broad was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Broad, for whom it was the third offence in a 24-month period, taking his cumulative demerit points to three. Broad’s previous breaches were on 27 January this year during the fourth Test against South Africa at the Wanderers, and on 19 August 2018 in the third Test against India at Trent Bridge.

Incident happened in 46th over of Pakistan’s 2nd innings

The incident occurred in the 46th over of Pakistan’s second innings on Saturday, when Broad used inappropriate language after dismissing Yasir Shah. Broad admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations.

There was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth official Steve O’Shaughnessy levelled the charge. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

The second Test between England and Pakistan will commence on Augusst 13. The hosts lead the three-match Test series by 1-0. They chased down 277 runs in the second innings thanks to Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler who scores stunning half-centuries after the team was struggling at 117/5. Pakistan will have to come up with a brilliant effort in Southampton in the second game to stay alive in the series.