SA v PAK 2018-19: Faf Du Plessis banned for a Test and fined for slow over rate at Newlands

Faf Du Plessis to miss Johannesburg Test against Pakistan.

South African players fined despite winning Test series against Pakistan | Getty Images

South Africa will be without its regular captain Faf du Plessis in the third and final Test against Pakistan in Johannesburg, as he has been suspended for one Test and fined 20 percent of his match fee after his side were charged with a slow over-rate in their nine-wicket victory in the second Test at Newlands.

Beside Du Plessis, other Proteas squad have been featured in the second Test were also fined 10 percent of their match fees, while captain will sit out for the final encounter against the Men in Green to be played from Friday (January 11) in Johannesburg.

The on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson, third umpire S Ravi and match referee David Boon imposed the suspension on du Plessis and his teammate after South Africa were found to be one over short of the required number in the Test in their Cape Town victory against Pakistan.

It was for the second time in the last 12 months when Du Plessis and his Proteas side have been found guilty of a slow over rate as they first fined against India in Johannesburg Test on January 17.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement on Sunday (January 6), “In accordance with Article 2.22.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel… players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

Noteworthy, South Africa has already clinched its seventh consecutive Test series at home with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series against Pakistan, but the hosts could field a much-changed Playing XI in Johannesburg especially with the absence of skipper Du Plessis, and injury concerns over Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla.

(With Reuters Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 07 Jan, 2019

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