Ben Stokes Docks A fine And Handed Demerit Point For Outburst At A Spectator

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been fined 15 percent of his match fee and handed one demerit point. The latest development came as a response following his outburst against a spectator during the first day of the 4th Test match in Johannesburg. The England deputy was caught swearing by the broadcasters. The cricketer appeared to say “Come say that to me outside the ground, you f***ing four-eyed c***.”

Ben Stokes docked for his outburst

It was earlier reported that the fan took a jibe at Stokes and compared him to singer Ed Sheeran in a not so mild manner. Stokes was eventually charged with a Level One offence – the use of an audible obscenity – by Andy Pycroft, the ICC match referee. The 2019 World Cup winner admitted to the charge and hence a full hearing didn’t take place. The 28-year-old later released a statement and apologized for his act to the fans and viewers.

An accumulation of four or more demerit points leads to suspension as in the case of Proteas pacer Kagiso Rabada. The African spearhead missed the fourth Test after violating the ICC code of conduct for his high-voltage celebration after dismissing Joe Root in the third Test.

Stokes got out cheaply in the first innings in Johannesburg but the visitors piled up 400 runs. The BBC sportsperson of the year had earlier hit a hundred in Port Elizabeth to hand England a 2-1 lead in the 4-match series.

https://twitter.com/benstokes38/status/1220783147387949056

Zak Crawley hit a maiden fifty while skipper Root added 59 runs to the score sheet. Ollie Pope continued his good form and hit yet another fifty for a good cause. For the Proteas, Anrich Nortje bagged a five-for. In reply, South Africa once again failed to get a good start. By the 38th over of their innings, the hosts had lost four wickets with mere 74 runs on the board.