Kagiso Rabada cleared by ICC to play 3rd Test against Australia [Update #94]

[shebimalik]

Kagiso Rabada has been suspended for South Africa’s next two Test matches after being found guilty of a Level 2 ICC Code of Conduct offence of ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player’. He has received a fine of 50 per cent of his match fee and three demerit points after a disciplinary hearing following his denial of the charge.

This means Rabada has accumulated eight demerit points within a 24-month period automatically leading to a two match suspension. The incident happened in the 52nd over of Australia’s first innings of the second Test, when moving towards the slips, Rabada made contact with Steve Smith with his shoulder.

Rabada has accepted a second charge under 2.1.7 of the code – using language, actions or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his or her dismissal. He received a further 15% fine of his match fee and an additional demerit point bringing his total to nine.

Meanwhile, Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has also been fined 20 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point for a level 1 offence under 2.1.4 of the Code which pertains to “using language or gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match.” Marsh accepted the charge and no formal hearing was needed.

Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees said: “I found that there was contact between Rabada and Smith, and in my judgement the contact by Rabada was inappropriate, and deliberate. He had the opportunity to avoid the contact, and I could not see any evidence to support the argument that the contact was accidental.

“It is also disappointing that this has happened the day after the pre-match meeting I had with both teams, where the importance of respect for opponents was highlighted.

“I take no pleasure in seeing a player suspended, particularly a young player of Kagiso’s talent, but he has now breached the ICC Code of Conduct on a number of occasions.”

The charges against Rabada and Marsh were levelled by on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Kumar Dharmasena, third umpire Sundaram Ravi and fourth umpire Bongani Jele.

Rabada’s demerit point history

February 2017 Three demerit points v Sri Lanka for inappropriate and deliberate physical contact

July 2017 One demerit point v England for a send-off offence

(One match suspension / four accumulated demerit points)

February 2018 One demerit point v India for a send-off offence

March 2018 Three demerit points v Australia for inappropriate and deliberate physical contact

(Two match suspension / eight accumulated demerit points)

March 2018 One demerit point v Australia for a send-off offence

 

[London_Lahori]

Akram was correct all those years ago, ICC is a white man's forum.

 

[Ab Fan]

Now who will take 20 wickets?

I am afraid but the series looks done now.

 

[Bewal Express]

Rabada was plain stupid in this game and deserved the sanction.

 

[WengerOut]

Might as well create green tracks now. Nobody to take wickets on flat surfaces

 

[Bewal Express]

Now who will take 20 wickets?

I am afraid but the series looks done now.

Morkle may be no Rabada at this point in time but he isnt a bad replacement.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Might as well create green tracks now. Nobody to take wickets on flat surfaces

Philander will do it. Ask [MENTION=130014]soso killer[/MENTION] .

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Now who will take 20 wickets?

I am afraid but the series looks done now.

Probably Steyn. I just hope he has two awesome games left in him. However, this is Morkel's last test series and he's been a faithful servant.

Tough one.

 

[Ab Fan]

Might as well create green tracks now. Nobody to take wickets on flat surfaces

Who will score runs then?

 

[Ab Fan]

Morkle may be no Rabada at this point in time but he isnt a bad replacement.

Morkel, Philander, Ngidi- an average attack.

 

[WengerOut]

Who will score runs then?

They have comparatively better batsmen for those pitches

 

[Ab Fan]

Probably Steyn. I just hope he has two awesome games left in him. However, this is Morkel's last test series and he's been a faithful servant.

Tough one.

Is he confirmed as fit?

It could be risky because he is injury-prone and if he gets injured in between the match like, India away 2015, England home 2016, India home 2018, it will be worst.

Morkel deserves a farewell test too I think.

 

[barah_admi]

yet warner seems to get away with everything....

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Is he confirmed as fit?

It could be risky because he is injury-prone and if he gets injured in between the match like, India away 2015, England home 2016, India home 2018, it will be worst.

Morkel deserves a farewell test too I think.

"South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn will only be considered for the fourth Test against Australia on March 30, and not the third as initially hoped as he continues to recover from a heel injury."


Guess not, damn.

 

[rhony]

Steyn riled up Rabada with his statement before the game. Rabada is a serial offender and I think he was really careless this time around. Had to be made an example

 

[Test champion]

this is not good by icc ,then how can warner not suspended for his behaviour??

 

[Tyler Durden]

Rabada is the architect of his own self destruction.

 

[Smbhayi]

Rabada had physical contact, right? Then what's the fuss? Cricket isn't a contact sports as far I know, he had to pay the price.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

He deserves it. He could have won the series for SA, he was such as good bowler, but now he's out.

He;'s out NOT because the opposition taunted him, but because he could not control himself.

And as a result he has cost his country a series that he could have won on his talent alone.

They should give him a HUGE talking to. Blithering Idiot.

 

[Lefthanded]

I doubt SA can win from here on and I am baffled how he keeps doing this.

He did the same thing in England and didn’t even learn from the first innings here by shouting in Warner’s face. Is he that self involved that he keeps going overboard when he’s a hair from suspension?

At the end of the day I think it’s selfish cricket and he needs whatever length of suspension that will clear up his behaviour.

 

[mohan11]

this is not good by icc ,then how can warner not suspended for his behaviour??

ICC did not suspend him, he is because he has accumulated that many demerit points over 2 years period.

 

[shaz619]

Australia being gifted the series

 

[Indiafan]

Rabada had physical contact, right? Then what's the fuss? Cricket isn't a contact sports as far I know, he had to pay the price.

No, he didn't, it was an accidental contact with Warner as much to blame

 

[MenInG]

South Africa's champion fast bowler Kagiso Rabada concedes he needs to address his on-field behaviour after being issued with a two-Test suspension at the conclusion of the second Test in Port Elizabeth.

Rabada's superb performance with the ball – his 11/150 was a fourth 10-wicket haul in just 28 Tests – was tempered by two separate flashpoints during the match.

The first incident happened in the 52nd over of Australia’s first innings: when moving towards the slips, Rabada made contact with Steve Smith with his shoulder. He was found guilty of a Level 2 ICC Code of Conduct offence of ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player’. He has received a fine of 50% of his match fee and three demerit points after a disciplinary hearing following his denial of the charge.

This means Rabada has accumulated eight demerit points within a 24-month period, automatically leading to a two-match suspension.

The second incident concerned Rabada's send-off of David Warner in the second innings, for which he accepted a second charge under 2.1.7 of the code – using language, actions or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his or her dismissal. He received a further 15% fine of his match fee and an additional demerit point, bringing his total to nine.
Speaking at the post-match press conference before his suspension was confirmed, Rabada accepted that his on-field conduct needs to change. "It's going to have to stop," he said. "I can't keep doing this because I am letting the team down and I am letting myself down.

"I won't change the way I express myself but I just will get far away from the batter," he said, adding: "I have to move forward. I have to see it as a big learning curve. And not repeat the same mistake. I have repeated the same mistake in the eyes of the umpires. I am not happy about it but time moves on."

When asked what goes through his mind when he takes a wicket, Rabada cited passion as the driving force. "I don't know what I am thinking actually. To be honest, I just let it out," he said. "It's a big series, there is a lot to play for. There's a whole lot of emotion and pride. You don't want to roll over. You want to get them out.

"It's competitive. There's a history of South Africa and Australia playing against each other. You're playing for the No.1 spot. There's a whole lot that you're playing for. Also playing for personal milestones and team milestones as well and it just comes out."


Rabada's 11 wickets at Port Elizabeth bagged him the Player of the Match award Rabada's 11 wickets at Port Elizabeth bagged him the Player of the Match award

Commenting on the suspension, Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees said: “I found that there was contact between Rabada and Smith, and in my judgement the contact by Rabada was inappropriate, and deliberate. He had the opportunity to avoid the contact, and I could not see any evidence to support the argument that the contact was accidental.

“It is also disappointing that this has happened the day after the pre-match meeting I had with both teams, where the importance of respect for opponents was highlighted.

“I take no pleasure in seeing a player suspended, particularly a young player of Kagiso’s talent, but he has now breached the ICC Code of Conduct on a number of occasions.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/643169

 

[ManFan]

KG epitomizes the blood and guts of a fast bowler. ICC might as well give all fast bowlers a blindfold and cigarette.

 

[shaz619]

They need to get rid of this stupid system, it's killing the game on so many levels

 

[pkckt]

yawn, reading this killed the series for me

 

[Aman]

Series over.

What a shame, no chance SA win with Rabada and Steyn out.

 

[BaankeJi]

Rabada and the whole world knew before 2nd test that Rabada needs to be careful because he had too many demerit points. Even then he indulged in a totally unnecessary confrontation.
It was a brain dead thing to do and he has been rightly banned. Hopefully this will make him a better behaved player.

 

[pakistani pride]

Pathetic!

 

[AFM]

Reduce his match fees if he has gone overboard. But you cannot grudge a fast bowler for showing some jazbah. The ICC will run Test cricket to its grave with such punishments.

 

[hk031992]

Pity. Is Steyn coming back for the third?

 

[Convict]

Akram was correct all those years ago, ICC is a white man's forum.

Whitey made Rabada shoulder bump Dickwella?
Its a pity that he is suspended but the only person who can be blamed is Rabada himself.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Just because he took 11 wickets doesnt mean there should be any leniency shown to him. He needs to watch his behaviour if he doesn't want to cost his team. Good and just decision to ban him.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Whitey made Rabada shoulder bump Dickwella?
Its a pity that he is suspended but the only person who can be blamed is Rabada himself.

It would be fair if your lot were also banned who've been yapping in player's faces for years but somehow always manage to escape with fines.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Farcical decision and has ruined the series. In a heated series, you have to be more lenient. If the other side gets away with fines, so should SA. It will always come across as racist and no bullsh-t explanation will change that. He's their main damn bowler.

 

[Sadevdesai]

Suspending Rabada not good for Cricket !!!!!! He should have been fined Heavily, that would not be a loss to SA Cricket, only him, this way though, his mates are paying a price for his, and only his, action. Australians are happy, I am sure, but they will take a High road and will show some displeasure outwardly .... standard procedure for them !!!

 

[SamNJ]

He had accumulated 6 demerit points over the 2 years.
Got 3 demerit points for this shoulder rubbing.
9 demerit points means 2 tests or 1 test + 2 odis or 4 odis(whichever the player is supposed to play first) ban.
Good decision by the ICC.
Correct precedence set.

 

[giri26]

To be frank rules are there for everyone and there should be no ifs and buts. It is sad to see Kagiso Rabada suspended but again ICC needs to be strong on the rules they set. They cannot pick and choose what they implement based on the series competitiveness.

 

[Buffet]

Bad timing to be sitting out.

 

[hk031992]

Whitey made Rabada shoulder bump Dickwella?
Its a pity that he is suspended but the only person who can be blamed is Rabada himself.

I agree 100%. These people who are saying Rabada was suspended because of race are wrong, they are race baiters. Rabada is 100% to blame here.

 

[WengerOut]

He would be ruing the send off to innocuous Dhawan and Dickwella. He would have had more leverage in the Aus series.

 

[kingusama92]

Farcical decision and has ruined the series. In a heated series, you have to be more lenient. If the other side gets away with fines, so should SA. It will always come across as racist and no bullsh-t explanation will change that. He's their main damn bowler.

Disagree.

It's the second time he's done this making him a repeat offender. I agree about verbal send-offs but you can't go around making intentional contact with the batsman.

It's a well-deserved ban.

 

[James]

Love it how some people’s first thought is a racial angle and not the guy’s actions. In psychology I think they call this projection.

 

[Oligochaetes]

He can continue his aggression. All he needs to avoid is looking or rushing towards the batsman. That's what Kohli does..he swears at the crowd..

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Love it how some people’s first thought is a racial angle and not the guy’s actions. In psychology I think they call this projection.

No, Rabada deserves a ban if your kind gets banned as well. They're picking and choosing. That's my first and final thought.

 

[volcyz]

Never a more satisfying sight than to see Aussie crybabies losing any match anywhere.

 

[Raja Sab]

cricket isn't a men's game anymore, girl scouts have taken over

 

[IndianFan2018]

He can continue his aggression. All he needs to avoid is looking or rushing towards the batsman. That's what Kohli does..he swears at the crowd..

Sometimes at dressing room ...to rile opposition coach and support staff 2

Rabada should learn these tricks to avoid getting banned again

 

[soso_killer]

ICC probably thought Rabada was too brilliant, can't afford him destroying the Aussies for two consecutive series.

In any case I'd bring the Steyn gun back. I get that Morkel has been a great servant for South Africa, and sitting on 297 wickets. However there is simply no time for sentimentality. At 33 he is as erratic as he was on debut. I'd rather gamble with Steyn. Ngidi is already proving how superior he is to Morkel. He bowls at first change, yet is as lethal as anyone. I'd like to see him leaner, he's probably more talented than Rabada. But he must make himself an athlete if he is going to fulfil that potential.

As a precaution, I'd play Morris ahead of TdB.
South Africa's bowling resources are looking good ATM. Strength in depth.

 

[James]

No, Rabada deserves a ban if your kind gets banned as well. They're picking and choosing. That's my first and final thought.

“Your kind”. Very revealing language.

 

[soso_killer]

To be frank rules are there for everyone and there should be no ifs and buts. It is sad to see Kagiso Rabada suspended but again ICC needs to be strong on the rules they set. They cannot pick and choose what they implement based on the series competitiveness.

No one has a problem with rules, it's the consistency (or lack thereof) that is the problem.
QdK was threatened with violence (who knows what would have happened had Warner not been restrained), he got a fine (and a demerit point) for walking away and not engaging.

Which is worse in the grand scheme of things? A player hurling abuse and threatening violence against the opposition to the point he had to be physically restrained by his mates (off the field at that), or a nothing shoulder contact? I don't know, I don't think I'm objective enough on this one. However the ICC definitely needs to get its ducks in a row.

 

[soso_killer]

Love it how some people’s first thought is a racial angle and not the guy’s actions. In psychology I think they call this projection.

Isn't picking and choosing whom to sanction labeled as "Institutional racism" by the same psychologists though?
Not that I'm going for the race angle, but I've seen at first hand that structural and institutional racism definitely exist in white corporate world.

 

[volcyz]

The umpires are scared of the Aussies

 

[kingusama92]

No one has a problem with rules, it's the consistency (or lack thereof) that is the problem.
QdK was threatened with violence (who knows what would have happened had Warner not been restrained), he got a fine (and a demerit point) for walking away and not engaging.

Which is worse in the grand scheme of things? A player hurling abuse and threatening violence against the opposition to the point he had to be physically restrained by his mates (off the field at that), or a nothing shoulder contact? I don't know, I don't think I'm objective enough on this one. However the ICC definitely needs to get its ducks in a row.

You're misunderstanding how this works.

Both Warner and Rabada were given the same charges by Crowe (fine + 3 demerit points). Actually, Warner received a bigger fine.

However, Rabada is a repeat offender and his previous demerit points (intentional contact with Dickwella) triggered an immediate suspension. If Rabada had a clean record like Warner, he wouldn't have been suspended.

Crowe was consistent and this is entirely Rabada's fault.

 

[HuzaifaE]

My only issue is when things get physical. I have no favoring views on interfering in send offs or verbal exchanges. Blunting intensity and pushing sledging to extinction is all unnecessary.

 

[BaankeJi]

I don't see any inconsistency in here. Rabada has been very liberal in giving away send offs even after knowing fully well the impact that it can have. He does it right on the face. There is no escaping from punishment in that case. Even if ICC wants, it can't stop itself from awarding the punishment.

Rabada has to improve. He should have known better.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m pretty happy not to be playing Test cricket when you scream a couple times with passion, give a few sends off & then get banned!<br><br>My baptism into Test cricket in 2005 was a WHOLE lot worse! <br><br>And, that’s what made it fun, competitive & separated men from boys!</p>— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/973435983910834177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Adijazz1706]

These rules in the old days would've seen the great Aus team banned as a unit. Also, that 'shoulder barge' against Smith is a joke, wouldn't have hurt a child )

 

[soso_killer]

You're misunderstanding how this works.

Both Warner and Rabada were given the same charges by Crowe (fine + 3 demerit points). Actually, Warner received a bigger fine.

However, Rabada is a repeat offender and his previous demerit points (intentional contact with Dickwella) triggered an immediate suspension. If Rabada had a clean record like Warner, he wouldn't have been suspended.

Crowe was consistent and this is entirely Rabada's fault.

No, the ICC is missing the point.
What is worse for the game?
A nothing moment on the cricket field? Or threatening the opposition with violence off the field of play? A fine is simply not good enough.
In my opinion a few transgressions on the field of play can be forgiven including swearing. It's competitive sport after all played by men. What does provoking a response even mean? Sledging doesn't provoke the opposition?

Take a guy like Ben Stokes as well. He was caught brawling outside a night club, punching a guy to a coma. Yet he was able to jump straight into the cricket field without any sanctions or warning from the ICC. Is that a role model?

I then ask myself what is really good for the game? What is not? What does a young aspiring cricketer make of all of this? Who has brought the game into disrepute? Rabada or Stokes?
Is Stokes a good role model for youngsters? Does he paint a good image of the non existent "gentleman's" game?

I just don't know. Is the game better of with violent hooligans and bullies like Stokes and Warner's of this world? Is it in a worst state with young competitive hotheads like Rabada, but mild mannered off the field?

Despite Rabada serving his time, he will still sit with the same demerit points. If anything they accumulate. Basically serving the same sentence twice. I just don't get where the ICC is going with this.
I don't mind sanctions and what not. But there must be consistency. Just the other day Australia were 15-20 overs short, not a word from the ICC. Faf was just sanctioned during the Indian series. India for similar transgressions got away with it. I'm not seeing any shape or form of consistency. The ICC have created an environment of Haves and Have nots.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m pretty happy not to be playing Test cricket when you scream a couple times with passion, give a few sends off & then get banned!<br><br>My baptism into Test cricket in 2005 was a WHOLE lot worse! <br><br>And, that’s what made it fun, competitive & separated men from boys!</p>— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/973435983910834177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well said KP.

Earned yourself a lifetime fan here!

 

[volcyz]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m pretty happy not to be playing Test cricket when you scream a couple times with passion, give a few sends off & then get banned!<br><br>My baptism into Test cricket in 2005 was a WHOLE lot worse! <br><br>And, that’s what made it fun, competitive & separated men from boys!</p>— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/973435983910834177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Don't like KP but agree with him.

ICC cant quietly kill off tests fast enough.

 

[IMMY69]

Who would want to be an out and out fast bowler in today's world full of sissy's

 

[Convict]

No, Rabada deserves a ban if your kind gets banned as well. They're picking and choosing. That's my first and final thought.

Rabada only got banned because this is his fifth incident in 13 months. Including against Sri Lanka and India.

 

[WengerOut]

No, the ICC is missing the point.
What is worse for the game?
A nothing moment on the cricket field? Or threatening the opposition with violence off the field of play? A fine is simply not good enough.
In my opinion a few transgressions on the field of play can be forgiven including swearing. It's competitive sport after all played by men. What does provoking a response even mean? Sledging doesn't provoke the opposition?

Take a guy like Ben Stokes as well. He was caught brawling outside a night club, punching a guy to a coma. Yet he was able to jump straight into the cricket field without any sanctions or warning from the ICC. Is that a role model?

I then ask myself what is really good for the game? What is not? What does a young aspiring cricketer make of all of this? Who has brought the game into disrepute? Rabada or Stokes?
Is Stokes a good role model for youngsters? Does he paint a good image of the non existent "gentleman's" game?

I just don't know. Is the game better of with violent hooligans and bullies like Stokes and Warner's of this world? Is it in a worst state with young competitive hotheads like Rabada, but mild mannered off the field?

Despite Rabada serving his time, he will still sit with the same demerit points. If anything they accumulate. Basically serving the same sentence twice. I just don't get where the ICC is going with this.
I don't mind sanctions and what not. But there must be consistency. Just the other day Australia were 15-20 overs short, not a word from the ICC. Faf was just sanctioned during the Indian series. India for similar transgressions got away with it. I'm not seeing any shape or form of consistency. The ICC have created an environment of Haves and Have nots.

You guys also escaped punishment for frequent ball tampering exploits. So no need to show the victim mentality.

 

[London_Lahori]

Whitey made Rabada shoulder bump Dickwella?
Its a pity that he is suspended but the only person who can be blamed is Rabada himself.

Whitey have done worse things over the years without any suspensions. Players from your country are the worst. How did Warner escape a ban? Whitey, perhaps?

 

[Convict]

Whitey have done worse things over the years without any suspensions. Players from your country are the worst. How did Warner escape a ban? Whitey, perhaps?

When did Warner make physical contact with another player?

He got suspended over the Root incident.

 

[Convict]

You guys also escaped punishment for frequent ball tampering exploits. So no need to show the victim mentality.

Faf getting away with ball tampering because somehow his zipper incident wasn't a prior incident comes to mind.

 

[Big Mac]

If we're banning him for send-offs then let's offer a red button option for viewers where they remove the commentary and turn up the stump mics to the max. If we're this concerned about the spirit of cricket and all that rubbish then let's do it properly, instead of just sweeping everything under the carpet whenever possible and only clamping down on the more visible aspects like this.

 

[Big Mac]

As for Rabada, the shoulder barge with Smith was nothing. It was one of those where both players try to pretend they haven't seen the other player and play a game of chicken waiting for the other to move out of the way.

I've never liked screaming in a batsman's face after you dismiss him though, it always seemed a bit "you only sing when you're winning" to me.

 

[volcyz]

Whitey have done worse things over the years without any suspensions. Players from your country are the worst. How did Warner escape a ban? Whitey, perhaps?

Absolutely

 

[kingusama92]

No, the ICC is missing the point.
What is worse for the game?
A nothing moment on the cricket field? Or threatening the opposition with violence off the field of play? A fine is simply not good enough.
In my opinion a few transgressions on the field of play can be forgiven including swearing. It's competitive sport after all played by men. What does provoking a response even mean? Sledging doesn't provoke the opposition?

Take a guy like Ben Stokes as well. He was caught brawling outside a night club, punching a guy to a coma. Yet he was able to jump straight into the cricket field without any sanctions or warning from the ICC. Is that a role model?

I then ask myself what is really good for the game? What is not? What does a young aspiring cricketer make of all of this? Who has brought the game into disrepute? Rabada or Stokes?
Is Stokes a good role model for youngsters? Does he paint a good image of the non existent "gentleman's" game?

I just don't know. Is the game better of with violent hooligans and bullies like Stokes and Warner's of this world? Is it in a worst state with young competitive hotheads like Rabada, but mild mannered off the field?

Despite Rabada serving his time, he will still sit with the same demerit points. If anything they accumulate. Basically serving the same sentence twice. I just don't get where the ICC is going with this.
I don't mind sanctions and what not. But there must be consistency. Just the other day Australia were 15-20 overs short, not a word from the ICC. Faf was just sanctioned during the Indian series. India for similar transgressions got away with it. I'm not seeing any shape or form of consistency. The ICC have created an environment of Haves and Have nots.

It's important to remember Warner didn't make contact with QDK. That's the only reason he didn't receive a level 3/4 charge.

While Rabada has made actual contact multiple times (severity doesn't matter according to the rules).

Your point is valid about Stokes/Warner (Root incident) or even Shami in India. However, the ICC appears to be consistent in letting the home board resolve these issues based on what's written in the player's contract.

And I disagree about the demerit points. It's entire purpose is to punish repeat offenders. The offender (Rabada in this case) has to show he's earned a clean record. This is why the ICC has set the "24 month" period before all demerit points get wiped out.

 

[soso_killer]

It's important to remember Warner didn't make contact with QDK. That's the only reason he didn't receive a level 3/4 charge.

While Rabada has made actual contact multiple times (severity doesn't matter according to the rules).

Your point is valid about Stokes/Warner (Root incident) or even Shami in India. However, the ICC appears to be consistent in letting the home board resolve these issues based on what's written in the player's contract.

And I disagree about the demerit points. It's entire purpose is to punish repeat offenders. The offender (Rabada in this case) has to show he's earned a clean record. This is why the ICC has set the "24 month" period before all demerit points get wiped out.

Warner had to be physically restrained, Faf had to intervene in a bathrobe.
QdK was fined for being threatened with assault for good measure. How did the ICC get to that?

I don't agree with the demerit points system. What's the point of serving a ban, only to serve that ban again later? The slate should be whipped clean.

 

[New Yorker]

It's important to remember Warner didn't make contact with QDK. That's the only reason he didn't receive a level 3/4 charge.

While Rabada has made actual contact multiple times (severity doesn't matter according to the rules).

Your point is valid about Stokes/Warner (Root incident) or even Shami in India. However, the ICC appears to be consistent in letting the home board resolve these issues based on what's written in the player's contract.

And I disagree about the demerit points. It's entire purpose is to punish repeat offenders. The offender (Rabada in this case) has to show he's earned a clean record. This is why the ICC has set the "24 month" period before all demerit points get wiped out.

For Rabada there was an at least plausible possibility that contact was accidental. It happened on the field in the course of a game in which both players were in motion and the contact was slight. A brush of a shirt. There is no unambiguous evidence of intent. In Warner's case the contact didn't happen but the intent was entirely unambiguous. He was acting as if in a street brawl and only failed to make contact, and worse, because he was restrained. Big difference to me. Also, the Aussies have earned it by now with their boorish sledging.

 

[90MPH]

Ridiculous.

Cricket has become a sissy’s game.

1 match would have been harsh but aceptable. These sort of punishments will only kill Test Cricket further.

ICC made some good changes in the last few years regarding control of finances and fairness but they shouldn’t bring rules that destroy the passion.

Rabada does go over aggressive at times so needed some punishment but a 2 match Test ban ? No way, crazy.

 

[kingusama92]

For Rabada there was an at least plausible possibility that contact was accidental. It happened on the field in the course of a game in which both players were in motion and the contact was slight. A brush of a shirt. There is no unambiguous evidence of intent. In Warner's case the contact didn't happen but the intent was entirely unambiguous. He was acting as if in a street brawl and only failed to make contact, and worse, because he was restrained. Big difference to me. Also, the Aussies have earned it by now with their boorish sledging.

Rabada was never going to be afforded plausible deniability after the Dickwella incident and he actually got the lowest possible charge for making contact with an opposing player (Level 2). If Crowe felt he had intended to hurt Smith, it was a straight Level 3/4 charge. This is why the ICC has a tiered penalty system based on the type of contact made.

Plus, like Michael Holding said about Rabada, “When you're young you make mistakes but you don’t keep on making the same mistakes.”

And Warner was handed a similar charge despite not making contact (75% fine + 3 demerit points). Anything more would have been unrealistic since he never touched QDK.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Miandad attacked DK Lillee with a Bat ... Ambrose squared up to Steve Waugh ... Holding kicked stumps out of the ground ... Gatting pointed his finger in an umpires face ... But the game is terrible now because of a few Words !!!!!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MyArse?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MyArse</a></p>— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/973844007204814848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[shaz619]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Miandad attacked DK Lillee with a Bat ... Ambrose squared up to Steve Waugh ... Holding kicked stumps out of the ground ... Gatting pointed his finger in an umpires face ... But the game is terrible now because of a few Words !!!!!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MyArse?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MyArse</a></p>— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/973844007204814848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well said Vaughny

 

[shaz619]

Farcical decision and has ruined the series. In a heated series, you have to be more lenient. If the other side gets away with fines, so should SA. It will always come across as racist and no bullsh-t explanation will change that. He's their main damn bowler.

If this system worked like it is meant to, the barbarian aussies wouldn't be playing Test cricket because they'd have accumilated so many points but they keep getting away with it

 

[dhonixi]

Rabada deserves it after physical contact. He has several altercation in short period of time. All those crying about conspiracies have just victim mentality.