Ben Stokes will be suspended if he receives another demerit point
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
England all-rounder Ben Stokes is just one demerit point away from being suspended after he was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for making an “inappropriate comment” on the second day of the second Test against the West Indies.
The incident occurred when West Indies batsman Shai Hope hit Stokes for a four on the fifth ball off the 101st over.
Stokes was none too pleased about the boundary and the comment he made was “clearly audible through the stump mic and also heard by the match officials”, according to the ICC.
The 26-year-old was found guilty of breaching Article 2.1.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to “using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an international match”.
As a result, he was handed one demerit point, which gives him a total of three as he received one demerit point in October and November 2016.
With demerit points staying on a player’s record for 24 months, Stokes has to avoid getting another demerit point until October 2018. If he fails to do so, he will be banned for one Test, two ODIs or two Twenty20 Internationals.
Stokes accepted the charge against him, which was levelled by on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and S. Ravi. Since the all-rounder also decided not to challenge the sanction put forth by match referee David Boon, it means that there will be no need for a formal hearing.
Stokes took the wicket of Roston Chase late in the second day, but the West Indies still found themselves in a commanding position when stumps was called thanks to brilliant hundreds from Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite.
Hope and Brathwaite amassed a spectacular 246-run partnership before Brathwaite was clean bowled by Stuart Broad for 134.
Hope, however, was still at the crease at the end of the day as he finished unbeaten on a career-best 147.
With Hope and Brathwaite having taken the attack to England, the West Indies hold a 71-run lead going into the third day.