Jos Buttler fined 15% of his match fee; handed one demerit point for abusing Vernon Philander

England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the fifth day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Buttler was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Use of an audible obscenity during an International Match” following an incident with South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander.

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Buttler, for whom it was the first offense during a 24-month period. The incident occurred during South Africa’s second innings on Tuesday, when Buttler was heard using obscene language with Philander at the crease.

Buttler admitted the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Chris Gaffaney and reserve umpire Allahudien Palekar leveled the charges.

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.

What exactly happened?

South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander and Jos Buttler got themselves involved in a bit of a controversy in the 2nd Test at the Newlands. The pressure was on Philander as he had to take the team to a draw. On the other hand, the situation got the better of Buttler as well. Jos lost his cool and hurled abuses at Philander, calling him a ‘f*****g k***head’. Philander looked around at Buttler, who didn’t refuse to stop and kept on using expletives for the lower-order batsman.

How do demerit points work?

When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned.

Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.

Demerit Points to remain on a Player or Player Support Personnel’s disciplinary record for a period of twenty-four (24) months from their imposition following which they will be expunged.

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