The International Cricket Council has suspended pro spinner Adam Zampa after he was found guilty of violating Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during the first one-day international of the present three-match series between Australia and South Africa.
Article 2.3 prohibits the ‘usage of an audible obscenity during an international match’. This was Zampa’s first reprimand in a 24-month period. A demerit point has been added to the leg-spinner’s disciplinary history.
For those who are unaware, the event for which he has been sanctioned occurred in the 37th over of South Africa’s batting innings in Cairns. The 33-year-old leg-spinner made nasty remarks after a mis-field and overthrow with his bowling.
The stump mic caught up Adam Zampa’s statements, and the television channel also broadcasted them.
Following the match, the spinner admitted to his wrongdoing and accepted the penalty imposed by Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. The minimum penalty for a Level 1 breach is an official reprimand, while the highest is a 50% match cost and one/two demerit points.
Speaking about how the first ODI panned out, Australia ended up facing a heavy 98-run loss against the Proteas. The Temba Bavuma-led unit recorded their biggest win by runs against the Aussies in ODIs. Zampa ended with figures of 1/58 in 10 overs. He also added 11 off 18 with the bat, but to no avail, as it didn’t help the team’s cause.
In fact, Zampa scored more than Marnus Labuschagne (1 off 6), Cameron Green (3 off 8), Josh Inglis (5 off 9), Alex Carey (0 off 1) and Aaron Hardie (4 off 10). Earlier in the game, he had dismissed one of South Africa’s three half-centurions, in the form of Matthew Breetzke (57 off 56), breaking the latter’s partnership with skipper Temba Bavuma.
Keshav Maharaj put in a career-best bowling performance to record 5/33 in 10 overs, including a maiden over. This performance has put him right on top of the ICC ODI bowler rankings. Meanwhile, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh was the lone warrior for his team. He notched up 88 runs off 96 deliveries. Australia were bowled out for 198 in 40.5 overs.
India
