Brett Lee Criticises ICC's Decision To Ban Kagiso Rabada

The ICC decision to ban Kagiso Rabada didn’t impress the former fast bowler of Australia Brett Lee. He termed the ICC’s call as “ridiculous” and said that he loved the passion of Kagiso Rabada, who crossed the line during the third Test match at Elizabeth.

Rabada clean bowled Root in the 65th over of England’s first innings and instantly erupted into a passionate celebration. He gave a send-off to the England captain before being joined by his teammates in the celebration. Rabada was charged by the match referee after being found guilty of violating Article 2.5 of the ICC code of conduct.

Kagiso Rabada was given one demerit point:

He was found guilty of “using language, actions or gestures” which could provoke an aggressive response from the batsman. The 24-year-old Rabada was given one demerit point for the offence, but it’s his fourth demerit in the last two years, which results in a one-match ban. Rabada was charged with the offence in Port Elizabeth by match referee Andy Pycroft. He pleaded guilty and accepted the punishment.

“I understand that cricket needs to be played in the spirit of the game but to ban @KagisoRabada25 for a test match for over-celebrating to me is ridiculous. I also know that he has pushed the boundaries before but come on! No swearing involved! Love his passion. Don’t agree with @ICC,” Lee wrote on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/BrettLee_58/status/1218273519533846529

Rabada will be missing the 4th Test which comes as a huge blow to South Africa as the speedster has been brilliant in the Test series so far and has already taken 14 wickets which is the most by any bowler. Rabada picked up two wickets as England posted a huge total of 499/9 on the board in their first innings of the ongoing third Test.

They have three options in the 16-man squad: allrounders Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo and left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks, who could make his debut. The Johannesburg Test will also be Vernon Philander’s final match after he announced his retirement at the start of the series.