The ongoing 2nd Test between England and Windies hasn’t gone in the favor of hosts and to make the matters worse, the all-rounder Ben Stokes has been charged for “using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match”. He has received an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second day’s play in the Headingley Test.
Stokes was found guilty of breaching Article 2.1.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match”. Additionally, he has been handed one demerit point in the disciplinary record.
Prior to the game, he had 2 demerit point against his name and with this offence, he now carries 3 demerit points and pursuant to Article 7.6 of the Code and if he gets one more point, it will result into suspension points and he will be suspended.
During the Windies innings, Ben Stokes was bowling to Shai Hope in the 101st over. The batsman edged a delivery and it carried on to the boundary. Frustrated by that, Stokes made an inappropriate comment that was caught on the stump mic and also heard by the match officials.
The on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and S. Ravi, the third umpire Marais Erasmus and the fourth umpire Nick Cook leveled the charges on Stokes who admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by the Match Referee David Boon and there was no need for a formal hearing.
The breach of Level 1 carries a penalty of at least an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points Ben Stokes now needs to be careful of his actions as another demerit point would lead to his suspension.
