Kevin Pietersen fined for calling umpire's decision 'shocker' on air

Melbourne Stars batsman Kevin Pietersen has been fined AUD 5000 for criticising an umpiring decision on air while fielding during the BBL semi-final against Perth Scorchers on January 24.

The incident occurred during the Scorchers' chase, when opener Sam Whiteman was given not out when he appeared to bottom edge Scott Boland to the wicketkeeper. Pietersen was wearing a microphone on the field at the time to be part of the BBL's commentary broadcast and he made a comment on the umpire's decision.

"That was a shocker, an absolute shocker,'' Pietersen said. "He says it could have been glove or pad, and I said, 'well, he's got big gloves and big pads to reach that'. Massive nick.''

Cricket Australia said Pietersen "was reported for breaching CA's Code of Conduct Article 2.2.3 -  public or media comment that is detrimental to the interests of cricket, irrespective of when or where such comment is made - a level 2 offence. As per the CA Code of Conduct procedure, the Match Referee, David Talalla, considered the umpires' written report, and the proposed sanction was a $5000 fine."

On January 27, Pietersen decided to "dispute the sanction" and after a hearing, which included "additional submissions from Pietersen along with video footage and the umpires' written report," on February 2, Talalla upheld the AUD 5000 fine.

Pietersen has 48 hours to appeal the match referee's decision and take the issue to a CA Code of Conduct Commissioner.