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Kagiso Rabada suspended for final England Test after Joe Root send-off

South Africa
by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will miss his side’s fourth Test against England after breaching the ICC’s code of conduct for his send-off of Joe Root on day one of the Port Elizabeth Test.

After bowling the England captain for 27 on Thursday, Rabada advanced down the pitch and celebrated in front of Root, screaming as he bent down. He has subsequently been found guilty of violating Article 2.5 of the ICC code, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his or her dismissal during an international match”.

The violation has added a demerit point to Rabada’s disciplinary record, and with four accumulated over the course of the last two years, as per ICC regulations, he will miss South Africa’s next Test.

In addition to his suspension, Rabada has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for the level one breach. The 24-year-old admitted to the offence after the day’s play, accepting the sanction proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft after the charge had been levelled by the on-field, third and fourth umpires.

A level one breach carries a maximum penalty of a 50 per cent match-fee fine and one or two demerit points.

The fourth and final Test of the series will begin in Johannesburg on January 24.

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