Cricket
Rabada had his punishment for brushing against the shoulder of Australia captain Steven Smith in the second Test in Port Elizabeth reduced from a fine of 50 percent of his match fee and three demerit points, to 25 percent and one demerit point.
Updated : Mar 20, 2018, 02:49 PM IST
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to play the remainder of the Test series against Australia having won his appeal against a Level Two breach of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) code of conduct.
Rabada had his punishment for brushing against the shoulder of Australia captain Steven Smith in the second Test in Port Elizabeth reduced from a fine of 50 percent of his match fee and three demerit points, to 25 percent and one demerit point. He, however, was found guilty of a lesser charge of "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game" on appeal by Judicial Commissioner Michael Heron, according to a statement from the ICC on Tuesday.
That leaves Rabada's total of demerit points over the last 24 months on seven, one fewer than the threshold that would trigger an automatic two-match suspension. He received a demerit point for a send-off to Australian opener David Warner in the same game.
Twitter was appreciative of ICC's decision. With Rabada available for selection immediately, the South Africa-Australia Test series will continue to enthrall audiences.
Wow, Rabada's ban is overturned! Just one demerit point and a 25% fine. Things change rapidly in our world
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 20, 2018
Kagiso Rabada cleared to play third Test at Newlands! Good sense prevails...
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 20, 2018
Well done ICC .. Common sense prevails .. #Rabada
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 20, 2018
Kagiso Rabada cleared! Amazing! Now go out there and continue to dominate Champ @KagisoRabada25
— Thabile Ngwato (@ThabileNgwato) March 20, 2018
MASSIVE, MASSIVE NEWS: Kagiso Rabada successfully appeals his ban, his suspension is lifted and KG will play the Cape Town Test. KG to steam in on a green seamer at Newlands. Jee, this is exxcaiiting. Blockbuster final 2 tests on the cards. Enna pangu, therikka vidalaamaa #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/FMczGBTp9Q
— Srini Mama 2.0 (@SriniMaama16) March 20, 2018
I reviewed the Rabada & Smith incident about 20 times ...soon after it happened and also a day later. I can honestly say I think this final adjudication is the correct one.
— Mike Haysman (@MikeHaysman) March 20, 2018
That overturn of Rabada's ban is a victory for the observing neutral. Two great teams, at full strength, with a series evenly poised. The sold out signs are probably already up at Newlands. We've been saying it for weeks, but hopefully the cricket takes centre stage now. #SAVAUS
— Lungani Zama (@whamzam17) March 20, 2018
Has Rabada field his vote of thanks to Bangladesh yet? :p
— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) March 20, 2018
SA better strap an ice pack to his head in every test for the next 24 months :)
The ICC, ICC umpires and ICC match referees confuse me more than the D/L system. too many errors, blunders, howlers, inconsistency. Kusal Perera wrong suspension to Kagiso Rabada wrong suspension. ICC must be DRS-ed. #Cricket
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) March 20, 2018
Rabada cleared. Chris Broad should be thanked. His poor decision to let Shakib off allowed Rabada chance to overturn ban. Good for cricket.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 20, 2018
Rabada cleared is a win for everything
— Dennislamabad United (@DennisCricket_) March 20, 2018
Currently the top ranked Test bowler in the world, Rabada is free to play the third Test that starts in Cape Town on Thursday, with the tempestuous four-match series square at 1-1. The 22-year-old admitted he needed to tone down his wicket celebrations in the wake of the Smith incident but maintained that the contact with Smith was accidental and he had not intended to brush against the batsman.
Match referee Jeff Crowe believed otherwise when imposing the initial punishment, but that has now been overturned after Cricket South Africa engaged the services of high-profile local advocate Dali Mpofu to fight Rabada's case in an appeal hearing that took place on Monday.
"The key issue is whether Mr Rabada made 'inappropriate and deliberate physical contact' with Mr Smith. I am not 'comfortably satisfied' that Mr Rabada intended to make contact and I therefore find him not guilty of the charge...," Heron said in the summary of his verdict.
"I am entitled, however, to consider whether the conduct involved constitutes a lower level offence. I consider the conduct was inappropriate, lacked respect for his fellow player and involved non-deliberate and minor contact. The actions contravened the principle that a dismissed batsman should be left alone.
"I consider a penalty of the imposition of a fine of 25 percent of the applicable match fee to be the appropriate penalty for the breach of Article 2.1.1. As a consequence, 1 demerit point accrues. Mr. Rabada will be well aware of the consequences of any further breaches of the code."
Rabada has taken 15 wickets in the series so far at an average of 16.80, the most successful bowler from either side.
(Inputs from Reuters)