SA v ENG 2020: Brett Lee slams ICC's "ridiculous" decision to ban Rabada for celebrating Root's wicket

Rabada to miss the Jo'Burg Test match.

Rabada's overenthusiastic wicket celebration | Getty Images

After Michael Vaughan and Mark Boucher, Brett Lee has slammed ICC's decision to suspend South Africa’s star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for one Test for his angry celebration after taking the wicket of England captain Joe Root on Day 1 of the ongoing third Test in Port Elizabeth.

Rabada has been fined 15% of his match fee by the International Cricket Council and has also received one demerit point after being proven guilty of breaching the Article 2.5 of the code, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his or her dismissal during an international match.”

After Rabada gave an angry send-off to Root in Port Elizabeth, the pacer will miss the final and fourth Test against England on January 24 as he has now accumulated four demerit points in a 24 month period following the latest development and Lee called the verdict “ridiculous”.

Read Also: Boucher expresses concerns over disciplinary laws after ICC bans Rabada for one Test

While Boucher feels there was nothing wrong with Rabada’s celebration and Vaughan called it a harsh treatment; Lee, former Australia paceman, said he loves Rabada’s passion and isn’t agreed with the ICC’s decision while saying banning the bowler for "over-celebrating" is "ridiculous".

Taking to Twitter on January 18, Lee said: “I understand that cricket needs to be played in the spirit of the game but to ban @KagisoRabada25 for a test match for over-celebrating to me is ridiculous. I also know that he has pushed the boundaries before but come on! No swearing involved! Love his passion. Don't agree @ICC.”

 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 20 Jan, 2020

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