The International Cricket Council (ICC) fined English all-rounder, Sam Curran 15% of his match fee and added a demerit point to his record for a harsh send-off to South African captain Temba Bavuma during the second ODI of a three-match series on Sunday. The announcement was made by the ICC on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the teams will face each other once more in the third and final match of the World Cup Super League series in Kimberley. In the previous match held in Bloemfontein, Bavuma scored a match-winning 109 and South Africa established a 2-0 series lead that could not be overcome after he dismissed Curran by scooping the ball into his stumps. As Bavuma celebrated the dismissal, Curran ran down the pitch and approached him closely.
New Zealand’s match referee, Jeff Crowe, fined Sam Curran based on a report submitted by the umpires. Curran admitted to the offense, and as a result, there was no requirement for a formal hearing.
The ICC stated that Sam Curran committed a Level 1 offense under the ICC Code of Conduct when he excessively celebrated towards and in close proximity to the dismissed batter, Temba Bavuma, which had the potential to provoke an aggressive response.
A ban is imposed on a player who accumulates four or more demerit points within a 2-year period. This was Curran’s first offense within the given time frame.
Here is the video of the celebration from Sam Curran:
