Australia’s David Warner and India duo Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have been found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the fourth day’s play in the first cricket Test, which concluded in Adelaide on Saturday.
Warner and Dhawan were fined 15 and 30 per cent of their match fees respectively for their roles in an incident that took place during the second session of play on Friday, while Kohli was also fined 30 per cent of his match fee for his involvement in a separate incident shortly before the close of play.
The three players were charged under Level 1 Article 2.1.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that either: (a) is contrary to the spirit of the game; or (b) brings the game into disrepute.”
Warner and Dhawan were both fined for their roles in events that followed after Varun Aaron’s delivery that bowled Warner was called a no ball after a video review. Warner, instead of walking directly back to his batting position, walked towards the bowler and made a provocative comment. After the next delivery, Dhawan came in from his fielding position and aggressively remonstrated with Warner, stopping the game in the process.
Kohli, in a separate incident, stopped play to approach Australian batsman Steven Smith and remonstrate with him after an LBW appeal off the bowling of Rohit Sharma had been turned down. The three players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.
Following the incidents Mr Crowe spoke with the two captains and reminded them of their responsibilities. “Both captains agreed that they will take the lead and the responsibility for setting the example. In particular, to stop any unacceptable aggression of any kind towards opposing players,” Mr Crowe said later.
All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee.
