Tim Paine fined 15% of his match fee for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Australia captain Tim Paine has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third day of the third Test against India in Sydney. Paine was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an International Match.”

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Paine, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 56th over of India’s first innings on Saturday when Paine criticized the umpire’s decision following an unsuccessful DRS review against Cheteshwar Pujara.

Paine admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by David Boon 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 Paul Reiffel and Paul Wilson, third umpire Bruce Oxenford and fourth official Claire Polosak 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.

Australia dominating Sydney Test

Meanwhile, Australia are dominating the ongoing Sydney Test and are only seven (or 8) wickets away from taking a 2-1 lead in the four-match series. They declared their second innings at 312/6 after batting for 87 overs setting a huge target of 407 for India.

The visitors, in response, started well with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill batting superbly, much like they did in the first innings. The duo added 71 runs for the opening wicket before Gill edged one behind to Tim Paine off Josh Hazlewood. Rohit, however, went on to complete his half-century. Just when it seemed as if he will go unscathed to stumps, he played a pull shot and was caught in the deep.

India ended Day 4 on 98/2 with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in the middle and the visitors will be hoping to save this Test match.