Kagiso Rabada will play in the Cape Town Test after his two-match ban for making physical contact with Steven Smith was overturned by the ICC’s code of conduct appeal commissioner Michael Heron.
Kagiso Rabada was found not guilty of the charge of making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with Australia captain Steve Smith. The fast bowler was, however, found guilty of conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game, an offence under Article 2.1.1 of the Code.
As such Heron imposed a sanction of a fine of 25% of his match fee and one demerit point. This brings the player’s demerit points to a cumulated total of seven and he is free to play with immediate effect.
This clears Kagiso Rabada to play in the third Test match at Newlands in Cape Town starting on Thursday 22 March.
The ICC chief executive David Richardson said that the governing body accepted the decision to overturn the ban and would not be appealing. “The ICC wholly accepts today’s decision and I would like to thank Mr. Heron for overseeing the hearing in a short time frame before the next Test starts in South Africa,” he said.
“This is perhaps an opportune moment to remind all players of their responsibilities to maintaining a standard of behaviour which sets a good example to players at all levels of the game‚ especially the young players.
“We want to see the game played with skill‚ passion and respect for the opposition‚ the match officials and the laws.”