“This type of incident has no place on a cricket field”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has been fined 75 per cent of his match fee for deliberately shoulder-barging Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal on the second day of the first Test in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Even though de Kock’s shove had no venom behind it, he was still charged for breaching Article 2.2.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other Person (including a spectator) in the course of play during an International Match”.

The incident occurred at the stroke of lunch after Iqbal safely negotiated the final ball of the 30th over, which was bowled by Simon Harmer.

De Kock accepted the charge laid against him by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Joel Wilson, as well as third umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Sharfuddoula. As a result, there will be no need for a formal hearing to take place.

Explaining his decision to fine de Kock 75 per cent of his match fee, match referee Chris Broad said: “As the over before lunch came to an end, Quinton de Kock walked in front of the stumps to confront Tamim Iqbal. In doing so de Kock deliberately brushed Tamim Iqbal’s shoulder and rib area. This resulted in a heated exchange between the two, initiated by the contact made by de Kock. This type of incident has no place on a cricket field.”