New Zealand cricketer Tim Southee has been officially reprimanded for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The breach occurred during a Group C match against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad on Wednesday.
Southee was found guilty of breaching Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”
This particular breach occurred in the 18th over of New Zealand’s innings. Following his dismissal, Southee displayed his frustration by smashing a hand sanitizer dispenser on his way back to the dressing room.
As a result of this action, Southee has received one demerit point on his disciplinary record, marking his first offense within a 24-month period.
The demerit point system is designed to address breaches of conduct, and accumulating four or more demerit points within a two-year period can lead to suspension from international cricket matches.
Southee admitted to the offense and accepted the proposed sanction from David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Given Southee’s admission and acceptance of the penalty, a formal hearing was deemed unnecessary.
The charge against Southee was brought forward by the on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Alex Wharf, third umpire Richard Illingworth, and fourth umpire Michael Gough. These officials are responsible for ensuring the rules and spirit of the game are upheld, and they play a crucial role in maintaining discipline on the field.
Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct carry a range of penalties. The minimum penalty for such a breach is an official reprimand, while the maximum can include a fine of up to 50 percent of the player’s match fee and one or two demerit points. These measures are in place to deter players from engaging in behavior that undermines the integrity of the sport.
Tim Southee’s reprimand serves as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and adherence to the rules in cricket. While the incident reflects a moment of frustration, the swift action by the ICC and Southee’s acceptance of the sanction highlights the governing body’s commitment to upholding the standards of conduct in international cricket.
