South Africa paceman Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to play in this week’s third Test against Australia by the International Cricket Council.
The 22-year-old’s two-match ban has been overturned after his charge of making ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact’ with Australia skipper Steve Smith during the second Test in Port Elizabeth was downgraded following an appeal.
Rabada had initially been fined 50 per cent of his match fee and given three demerit points after being found guilty of deliberately brushing shoulders with Smith while celebrating his dismissal on the opening day.
The fast bowler appealed against the suspension and, following an ICC hearing on Monday, it was announced on Tuesday morning that Rabada had been found not guilty of a Level Two offence.
Instead, the ICC said in a statement that Rabada had been found guilty of the lower-level offence of ‘conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game’ and been fined 25 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point.
That leaves Rabada on a total of seven demerit points, one short of triggering an automatic two-match suspension, and he is available for the third and penultimate Test, which starts in Cape Town on Thursday.
#BREAKINGNEWS @KagisoRabada25 Not guilty of Level 2 offence, but guilty of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game. He is free to play with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/LsseyQM1jr
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 20, 2018
Rabada had previously accepted a second charge of “using language, actions or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his or her dismissal” following an incident involving Australia opener David Warner in the second Test.
He was fined a further 15 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point.
The four-match series is level at 1-1 after South Africa won by six wickets in Port Elizabeth.
Provided by Press Association Sport
