WEST INDIES fast bowler Ravi Rampaul has been fined ten per cent of his match fee while captain Darren Sammy has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their team’s 63-run defeat to world champions, India in the first Digicel Test which ended in Jamaica yesterday.
“Rampaul was found to have breached 2.1.3 of the code which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision” while Sammy was found to have breached 2.1.8 which deals with conduct “contrary to the spirit of the game,” the ICC said in a release.
Rampaul was penalised for asking the umpire whether the ball from fast bowler Ishant Sharma he was dismissed off was a no-ball for height. Sharma had already bowled a couple of bouncers in the over before another delivery reared up unexpectedly, brushing Rampaul’s gloves as he fended at it.
Sammy was warned for pointing to his forearm after a huge appeal for a close-in catch off the first delivery he faced. The appeal was turned down but Sammy was punished for conduct “contrary to the spirit of the game”.
The sanctions were made by match referee Jeff Crowe, the former New Zealand captain and accepted by the players so there was no need for a formal hearing.
“Just like India player Amit Mishra in the first innings, Ravi stood his ground and gestured to both the umpires on being given out,” Crowe said.
“Darren, who was eventually given not out, immediately looked to influence the umpire as to where the ball struck him. It is a pity they didn’t take note of Amit’s earlier behaviour because it is clear that their actions were also in breach of the code,” added Crowe.
All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee. The charge was brought by on-field umpires Ian Gould and Daryl Harper as well as third umpire Norman Malcolm and fourth official Gregory Brathwaite.
ezrastuart@nationnews.com