Stokes was caught swearing on camera by the broadcaster.
Ben Stokes, England’s World Cup hero who has also been at his best in the ongoing Test series against South Africa, was again in the news after he was caught on camera swearing to a spectator in the stand in the fourth Test at the Wanderers on Friday (24 January).
The English all-rounder was fined 15 percent of his match fee as well as handed a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The 28-year-old was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "use of an audible obsceniy during an International Match."
Ben Stokes has been fined 15% of his match fee and handed one demerit point after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct for using obscene language on day one of the Johannesburg Test.
— ICC (@ICC) January 25, 2020
Details: https://t.co/ww5U109PR9 pic.twitter.com/E1hxa1j5Dy
Stokes was dismissed by Anrich Nortje in the 46th over of England’s innings and while returning to the dressing room, the left-hand batsman was taunted by a spectator and while replying to the guy in stands, he was caught using obscene language by the broadcaster.
The demerit point earned by Stokes won’t do any harm to his participation for the limited-overs series followed by this fourth Test match as he had no active demerit points on his disciplinary record for the last 24-month period.
READ ALSO: Ben Stokes apologizes for his 'unprofessional' behavior towards crowd at Jo'Burg
Stokes admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft and also went on to issue a public apology. The on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth official Allahdien Palekar levelled the charges.