Vernon Philander fined 15% of his match fee for his aggressive send-off to Jos Buttler

South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second day of the fourth Test against England at the Wanderers. Philander 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 Philander, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 85th over of England’s innings on Saturday, when Philander used inappropriate language after dismissing Jos Buttler, which could have provoked an aggressive response from the batsman.

Philander admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth official Allahdien Palekar levelled 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.

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.

Coming to the game, England batsmen did well in the first innings to post 400 runs. In response, South Africa failed to give their best and they got bundled out for 183 runs, giving a 217-run lead to England. Visitors currently lead the series 2-1 with the ongoing fourth Test being the last game of the series.