South Africa fined for poor over-rate in the second Test against India

South Africa sealed the highly-anticipated series against the World number 1 side India by winning the first couple of Tests. They outplayed India in all the departments in both the matches with the visitors struggling to come to the terms of the conditions on offer. While the pitch at Newlands was heavily in favour of bowlers, Centurion offered a different wicket on which everyone had to struggle. However, the jubilation of the home side has been cut short by ICC as they were fined for the slow over-rate during the Test.

South Africa have been fined for maintaining the slow over-rate throughout the recently concluded Test match in Centurion. The match referee Chris Broad imposed the fine of them after the home side were found to be two overs short of their target when the time allowances and the breaks were taken into consideration.

What is the rule?

ICC confirmed the news in the press release on their website which also informed that the skipper of South Africa Faf du Plessis was fined 40 percent of his match fee. The other members of the team were also fined 20 percent of their match fees.

According to Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain being fined double for being the leader of the pack.

Also, if the Proteas side commits another such offence within 12 months, du Plessis will face the suspension. He pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed on him and his team and hence the formal hearing was not required. The charge on the home side was levelled by the on-field umpires Michael Gough and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Richard Kettleborough and fourth umpire Allahudien Palekar.

South Africa wouldn’t mind this fine as they would be jubilant after thrashing India and winning the series.