Slow over rate, inappropriate speech: Fines slapped on Australia and Ishant Sharma

Aussie players to pay 30% match fee, captain 60% and India pacer 15%

BRISBANE: Australia have been fined for maintaining a slow over rate and India paceman Ishant Sharma has been found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Brisbane Test, announced the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday.

As punishment, new skipper Steve Smith was fined 60% of his match fee for his team's slow over rate in the Test, which Australia won by four wickets on Saturday.

Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the fine after Smith's side was ruled to be three overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct relating to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount. The other Australia players received 30% fines of their match fees.

Meanwhile, Sharma was fined 15% of his match fee for violating a section of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an international match."

Sharma was seen on the television broadcast using inappropriate words after dismissing Smith in Australia's first innings. He admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by the match referee, the ICC said.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50% of a player's match fee.

Burns’ surprise inclusion in squad

Batsman Joe Burns was a surprise addition yesterday to Australia's 13-man squad for the third Test against India, starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

The 25-year-old Queensland right-hander was named as a replacement for injured Mitchell Marsh in the Australian team that defeated India by four wickets in Brisbane on Saturday to take a 2-0 series lead.

Burns, who has yet to play Test cricket, reached his highest first-class score of 183 against New South Wales last month to put himself in the frame for selection.

"It took a fair while to sink in," said Burns after he was called by chief selector Rod Marsh with the news yesterday. "I'm over the moon as it’s the best Christmas present I could ever hope for."

 

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