Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi has been banned for two Twenty20 internationals after appearing to bite the ball during the fifth one-dayer against Australia.
The all-rounder was caught by television cameras putting the ball in his mouth during a match that the tourists lost by two wickets at the WACA in Perth.
The third umpire reported the incident to the on-field officials Asoka de Silva and Paul Reiffel, who immediately ordered the ball be replaced.
In a hearing straight after the game, Afridi pleaded guilty to breaching article 2.2.9 of the International Cricket Council’s Code Of Conduct after being charged with “changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket”.
Maximum penalty
Match referee Ranjan Madugalle decided to imposed two suspension points on the player, equating to two T20 matches for his country.
“I imposed the maximum penalty under the code to Shahid and reminded him of his responsibilities as a national captain which is to ensure that the match is played according to the laws of the game and in the spirit in which it is intended to be played,” Madugalle said.
“Shahid, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his actions.”
Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam branded the behaviour of Afridi, who was captaining the side in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf, as “unacceptable”.
“It’s unacceptable,” said Alam. “It shouldn’t have happened but it happened and I feel sorry for him.
“Being a captain you should be above everything but unfortunately it’s happened and it’s up to the referee what sort of charges he’s going to level against him. I have no idea.”
Afridi will now miss the fixture against Australia on February 5, as well as the first of two matches against England in Dubai on February 19.
Spectator
The game was also overshadowed by an incident during the home side’s run chase when a fan ran onto the field and rugby tackled Pakistan’s Kalid Latif, who was not hurt in the incident.
Australia seamer Clint McKay, who took 4-35 to help bowl the tourists out for 212 earlier in the day, was outraged by the spectator’s intrusion.
“I thought it was disgraceful,” he said. “Something you don’t want to see ever.
“For someone to go out there and to touch one of their players is not on. Hopefully it all gets put to bed and he gets a right whack. It’s not something you want to happen.
“It’s probably the worst thing that can happen on a cricket field, so hopefully it gets stamped out and we don’t see it again.”
Preview:First Test South Africa vs England
Experienced South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis will not be able to bowl in the first test against England, captain Graeme Smith said on Tuesday.
Jacques Kallis of South Africa stretches during a South Africa Nets Session at Centurion Park on December 15, 2009 in Centurion, South Africa.
Kallis has fractured rib cartilage and will play as a specialist batsman only, weakening an attack that will rely on fast bowlers Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel and spinner Paul Harris.
“We obviously won’t have the luxury of Jacques bowling, but the other bowlers know they have to take responsibility and they’ve been picked to do their jobs well,” Smith told a news conference.
“It’s been a lengthy period since we last played test cricket but we have a very mature squad who have enjoyed a lot of success and they know what to do. We are as best-prepared as we can be, there’s been a good calm, focus and intensity about our preparations.”
England captain Andrew Strauss leads a team including four players born in South Africa, himself, batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, and wicketkeeper Matt Prior.
“The fact there are South African-born players in the team is not an issue for us, we know we have the best 15 players in England here. The fact some of them were born somewhere else doesn’t come into it, it’s a non-issue,” Strauss said.
England will delay naming their side until Wednesday morning but Strauss said he had a full squad to choose from.
“We’re very happy with the way Jimmy Anderson has pulled up, his knee niggle has never stopped him from bowling at any stage and he has progressed the way we wanted.
“Graeme Swann’s side is still niggling him but as a spinner he does not put as much strain on it as a seamer and it’s something he’s more than capable of playing through,” Strauss said.
FRONTLINE BOWLERS
England may call up all-rounder Luke Wright and play just five specialist batsmen, or name six specialist batsmen and just four frontline bowlers.
“Obviously if the pitch is going to do a huge amount, it makes a case for playing an extra batsman, but we’re still not 100 percent sure how the pitch will play,” Strauss said.
The match will be the first for each side since the official introduction of the umpire decision review system.
“We’ll have to be smart about how we use the review system. My initial reservations about it have not gone away, but I hear the more you use it, the better it gets,” Strauss said.
“I think the review system still needs to prove its worth,” Smith said. “I’m a little bit sceptical about it but we’ll have to be positive.”
Ntini plays his 100th test and Smith praised him not only as a fast bowler but also a significant figure in a troubled country still grappling with profound racial issues.
“Transformation is ongoing, it’s something we have to keep working on, but Makhaya has been a real success case and it’s been great to have been part of his career,” Smith said.
“He’ll tell you that his success is down to a lot of hard work, he’s had his ups and downs but he’s always met them with 100 percent commitment.
“Makhaya has become the spearhead of our attack and I’ve been very grateful for his energy and commitment as a leader.
“He’s a vibrant person and he’s played a prominent role not just in this team but in South Africa,” Smith added.
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