ICC takes big action against Tim Southee after New Zealand's T20 World Cup exit for abuse of...

New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has come under scanner after the team's game against West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2024. The pacer has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his antics during the game against the two-time champions. 

Tim Southee has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council for breaching Article 2.2 of the ICC code of conduct which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.” Notably, 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. 

Apart from this, Tim Southee has also received one demerit point to his disciplinary record. He breached the code of conduct at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad on Wednesday during the game against West Indies, which New Zealand lost. 

Tim Southee was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council for his antics during the 18th over of New Zealand’s innings. After the fast bowler got out, he smashed a hand sanitiser dispenser on his way back to the dressing room and came under the radar for his actions. 

On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Alex Wharf, third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Michael Gough levelled the charge against Tim Southee. The fast bowler agreed to the offence and hence there was no need for r official heading. The charges were levelled by ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees David Boon. 

Tim Southee had a great outing with the ball in the match against West Indies. The fast bowler chipped in for his team at the crucial juncture of the game and returned with the figures of 2/21 but couldn't help his team win the game with his efforts.

West Indies defeats New Zealand by 13 runs 

Asked to bat,  West Indies were off to a worry possible start with the bat. They lost their five wickets for just 30 runs and came under immense pressure. However, it was Sherfane Rutherford (68*) who stood tall for his team under tough circumstances. 

He held the one end despite wickets falling at the other and made sure he took his team to a competitive total. Crucial hands from Akeal Hosein, Andre Russell and Romario Shepherd powered the team to a total of 149/9. 

New Zealand, in the chase, went on to lose Devon Conway early. Finn Allen (26) tried to take the aggressive route but wasn’t successful. Things got worse for the Kiwi as they lost Rachin Ravindra Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell early, reeling at 63/6.

West Indies bowlers after that kept chipping in with wickets at regular intervals. Glenn Phillips (40) and Mitchell Santner (21*)  tried their best but couldn’t take their team home as New Zealand lost the game by 13 runs. With the loss, they sufferred an early exit from the tournanment as Afghanistan became the second team to qualify from their group.