India opener Pratika Rawal has been fined by the ICC for two incidents during the first ODI of the series between India and England in Southampton this week. Here's why she's been given a penalty.
Rawal opened the batting with Smriti Mandhana with India chasing a target of 259. With the opening pair putting on a partnership of 48 before Mandhana was dismissed, and a 90-run middle-order partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, the tourists went on to reach that target with 10 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
1st ODI, England Women vs India Women
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However, following the win, the ICC announced that Rawal would face punishment for two separate incidents in the game.
Rawal fined for ICC Code of Conduct breach
Rawal has been fined 10 per cent of her match fees after she was found guilty of a Level One breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The offence in question covered two incidents involving her which took place in a short period of time towards the end of her innings. In the 18th over of the chase, she made “avoidable physical contact” with Lauren Filer while taking a single. Filer had just bowled a delivery and, while jogging between the wickets for an easy single, Rawal brushed past the England quick. While it couldn't be considered contact enough for a shoulder charge, it was enough for Filer to gesture to the batter in frustration.
Rawal was dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone in the next over, with the England spinner celebrating animatedly. As Rawal walked off the pitch, she again brushed passed Ecclestone, who was being congratulated by her teammates, making contact once more.
Why was Pratika Rawal fined?
The offence in question falls under article 2.12 of the ICC players Code of Conduct – 'Inappropriate physical contact with a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other person during an international match'. According to the code: “Any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another player or umpire.
“When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the following factors (without limitation) shall be taken into account: the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the contact was deliberate (i.e. intentional), reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; the force of the contact; (any resulting injury to the person with whom contact was made; and the person with whom contact was made.”
In addition to being fined 10 per cent of her match fee, Rawal has had one demerit point added to her record – her first offence in the last 24 month period.
The next ODI between the two sides will be played at Lord's on Saturday (July 19).
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