Stokes “didn’t comply with the instructions” after being warned several times

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was docked 15 per cent of his match fee for “verbally engaging” Bangladesh batsman Sabbir Rahman during the second Test.

In the opening session on Sunday, Stokes traded words with Sabbir on numerous occasions and despite repeated warnings by the on-field umpires to stop, Stokes “didn’t comply with the instructions”.

Each time Sabbir was beaten when Stokes was bowling, the 25-year-old verbally abused him. As a result, Stokes was found guilty of breaching Article 2.1.1 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”.

One demerit point has also been added to Stokes’ disciplinary record. Should this amount reach four within a 24-month period, it will be converted into suspension points. If a player has two suspension points, he will be banned from playing either one Test, two ODIs or two Twenty20 Internationals.

Stokes accepted the punishment handed down by match referee Ranjan Madugalle, meaning that there will no need for a formal hearing.

England captain Alastair Cook, though, was disappointed that the umpires had been so quick to jump on Stokes and felt as if the all-rounder’s battle with Sabbir brought out the intensity of Test cricket.

“I do find it a little bit frustrating,” Cook said. “Both Sabbir and Stokesy are very competitive cricketers. To me, people love it. That’s what people watch.

“Sometimes I believe the umpires can get involved too quickly, and then it blows up even more. When umpires get involved it can drag it out and brings more theatre to it than you need.”