South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis fined for showing dissent

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent after his dismissal during the last league game of the Super 10 stage against Sri Lanka on Monday. Faf du Plessis was found to have breached Article 2.1.5 of the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match”.

The incident happened in the 13th over of South Africa’s innings when du Plessis was given LBW off Suranga Lakmal’s bowling. The South African skipper did not walk back immediately after being given out and showed dissent at the decision by occupying the crease for a some time before leaving the field while looking at his bat and shaking his head. The TV replays later indicated that Faf du Plessis’ disappointment was right as the ball had clipped the inside edge of his bat before thudding into the pads.

This is the second time within a 12-month period that du Plessis has been found guilty of the same Level 1 breach. In October 2015, du Plessis was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for violating Article 2.1.5 during the fourth One-Day International against India in Chennai. If found guilty of a further breach within 12 months, Du Plessis stands to receive a suspension.

After the match, du Plessis admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.