SA v AUS 2018: Kagiso Rabada banned after his altercation with Steve Smith in the 2nd Test

Kagiso Rabada has accumulated nine demerit points in the last one year.

Rabada shouldered Steve Smith during the celebration after taking his wicket

South Africa defeated Australia in the second Test at Port Elizabeth to level the series. The credit for this should be given to the Proteas bowlers, especially Kagiso Rabada who picked up 11 wickets for 150 runs.

Kagiso Rabada blew the Australian middle order away in the first innings, picking five wickets for 96 runs. Rabada went on to pick six wickets in the second innings as well, putting Australia on a path of collapse.

However, the young, aggressive bowler, continued to take the law into his hands; as he made physical contact with Steve Smith in a rather unpleasant send-off gesture, after dismissing him.

Rabada, who already had five demerit points to his name, was charged with a level two offence by on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Kumar Dharmasena. South Africa has indicated that they will contest the charges.

Match referee Jeff Crowe heard the appeal of South African side and decided to ban Rabada for the rest of the two Test matches of the series. Rabada received a 50% fine and three demerit points for getting in contact with Steve Smith.

Rabada screams in the face of David Warner while giving him a send-off after dismissing him

Meanwhile, Rabada managed to pick up another charge, a Level 1 for sending off David Warner in a colorful fashion during Australia's second innings. He was seen screaming in the face of Warner, after dismissing him. This charge meant he received another demerit point.

Rabada had three demerit points and a 50% match fee fine after he shoved Niroshan Dickwella in an ODI last year. He got another demerit point and a one Test ban for swearing at Ben Stokes after dismissing him in the Lord’s Test. Each demerit point stays on a player's record for a period of 24 months, staying active even after the four-point threshold is broken.

Rabada got one more demerit point added to his list, taking the tally to five, after waving goodbye to Shikhar Dhawan, as he walked and saying “f*** off" to the Indian opener during the St George's Park ODI.

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 12 Mar, 2018

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