Jos Buttler has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point after breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during England’s victory over South Africa in the second Test between the sides at Cape Town.

Buttler was found to have violated Article 2.3 of the Code of Conduct which refers to ‘use of an audible obscenity during an international match’. The obscenity in question was directed at South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander, and heard on the stump mic.

Buttler told Philander he was a “f***ing k***head” during a heated incident on the fifth afternoon as England chased victory. Sky Sports apologised on air for the audible swearing.

If Buttler accrues three more demerit points in the following 24 months he will face a ban, with this Buttler’s first offence in over two years.