Ashwell Prince, Kyle Verreynne fined for umpire dissent at Newlands

South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince and wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne have received official reprimands for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third day of the third Test against Australia in Cape Town.

Both were found to have breached Article 2.8, which relates to showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match.

Each has also received one demerit point, their first offence in a 24-month period.

Umpire ruling

The incident followed the dismissal of South Africa opener Marques Ackerman in the team’s second innings.

Ackerman attempted to review the caught verdict, but the umpires ruled that the request had not been made within the prescribed 15 seconds.

As Ackerman walked towards the boundary, Prince repeatedly told the umpires that there was still time for the review.

Verreynne, who was not in the playing XI, asked Ackerman to remain inside the boundary, delaying his departure from the field.

No formal hearing required

Ashwell Prince and Kyle Verreynne admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Javagal Srinath of the ICC Elite Panel. Formal hearings were therefore not required.

The charges were brought by on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire Chris Gaffaney and fourth umpire Lubabalo Gcuma.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, alongside one or two demerit points.

A player or support-personnel member who accumulates four or more demerit points within 24 months has those points converted into suspension points.

Two suspension points result in a ban from one Test, or two ODIs or T20Is, whichever comes first. Demerit points are removed from the disciplinary record after 24 months.

South African ended up winning the third and final Test by 176 runs to claim a 2-1 series victory.