Jaiswal, Fernando fined 25 per cent of match fee for on-field altercation
Incident occurred after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal in 17th over of India’s first innings
India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando have been fined 25 per cent of their match fees and handed one demerit point each for their on-field altercation during the opening day of the second Test in Colombo.
The incident occurred after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal for 45 in the 17th over of India’s first innings. Jaiswal walked towards the Sri Lankan seamer and the pair exchanged words before Fernando moved his head towards the Indian batter. Jaiswal responded by leaning in, resulting in the two players making head-to-head contact.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said both players admitted to the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, meaning no formal hearing was required.
“Both players were found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel,” the ICC said in a statement. The article relates to inappropriate physical contact with a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other person during an international match.
The governing body also confirmed that one demerit point had been added to the disciplinary records of both players. Neither Jaiswal nor Fernando had committed an offence in the previous 24 months.
The charge was brought by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella.
The offence falls under Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Such breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, while the maximum punishment is a fine of 50 per cent of the player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
