South Africa’s fast-bowler Charl Langeveldt was been fined 75% of his match fee for breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct during the fifth and final Standard Bank one-day international match at Supersport Park on Sunday.
He was found guilty of not turning around to appeal to the umpire for a blatant catch behind the wicket, while New Zealand’s Kyle Mills escaped with not even a reprimand for his role in an ugly incident involving Proteas captain Graeme Smith.
Mills appealed for a catch behind, but was not supported by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum — who caught the ball — and when Smith stood his ground, Mills proceeded to swear at the South African skipper.
The verbal outburst was heard by millions over the stump microphone.
The Kiwi fast-bowler then had to be restrained by his captain, Stephen Fleming, and told to calm down by umpire Steve Bucknor, but still he continued with a torrent of words aimed at Smith. Smith replied by clobbering the next ball for four through the covers.
Mills had a torrid time with the ball, finishing with just one wicket and conceding 45 runs in eight expensive overs. Smith finished with 66 runs off just 65 balls to guide his team to a fourth victory over the hapless Black Caps.
Meanwhile, Proteas coach Mickey Arthur was also found guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct during the same match and fined 25% of his match fee.
Langeveldt pleaded guilty for failing to turn to the umpire quickly enough in appealing for a catch at the wicket. He was found to have breached level 2.1 in which he celebrated a dismissal before a decision was given by the umpire. It was Langeveldt’s repeat of a level-one offence within a 12-month period.
Arthur was found to have breached level 1.3 for confronting an umpire as he was coming off the field.
”It was out of character, his first offence, but swearing at an umpire should not be tolerated,” said ICC match referee Chris Broad.
The charges were brought by the umpires — Bucknor, Brian Jerling and Karl Hurter. Broad reached his decisions after the hearings were attended by Langeveldt and Arthur in the company of the South African team manager, Goolam Rajah, and the umpires, Bucknor, Jerling, Hurter and Shaid Wadvalla.
Meanwhile, New Zealand player Scott Styris was found guilty of swearing at an umpire’s decision and fined 25% of his match fee. — Sapa