South Africa Fined For Slow Over-Rate In First T20I Match Against Australia

South Africa have been fined 20 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first T20I game of the three-match series versus Australia at home. The Proteas were found to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

Hence, Andrew Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction on Quinton de Kock’s team.

Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel states that a player should be fined twenty per cent of their match fees for each over that their side fails to bowl within the time allocation.

Since South Africa were adjudged to be one over short, the squad has been fined just twenty per cent under ICC’s ruling. Quinton De Kock, pleaded guilty of the charges and accepted the sanction, thus there was no need for a formal hearing.

South Africa endured a tough first outing versus Australia:

The home side were on the receiving end of a drubbing at the hands of Australia on Friday. Having won the toss, De Kock opted the field first at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, but they were blown away by the Australian batsmen.

By the end of the first innings, the scoreboard read 189 runs in 20 overs in the favour of the visitors. Then, in the run chase, South Africa got off to the worst start possible. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc combined in lethal effect to put breaks on the home side’s chase right from the get-go.

Just three of the Proteas batsmen got into double digits, as Australia’s bowlers celebrated a feast. Ashton Agar picked up five wickets for the visitors including a sensational hat-trick.

After a demoralising defeat though, the Proteas will look to bounce back in the second T20I game that is scheduled to be played on 23 February, at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.