Ntini and Langeveldt fined for excessive appealing

Makhaya Ntini and Charl Langeveldt, the two South African fast bowlers, have been fined part of their match fees for breaching the International Cricket Council's Code of Conduct during the third one-dayer against West Indies in Barbados. Both bowlers were found guilty of "excessive appealing" by Jeff Crowe, the match referee, in a hearing after the game finished at Bridgetown on Wednesday.

Langeveldt, the hero of South Africa's one-run triumph with a last-over hat-trick, was fined 20% of his match fee as he was found to have breached 1.5 Level 1 of the ICC Code. He was penalised for his actions after the fifth ball of the final over, when he celebrated the dismissal of Corey Collymore, the last batsman, before the umpire had given the decision. Crowe added, "Charl, albeit emotional in the dramatic moment, simply did not turn to appeal to the umpire for an lbw decision and pleaded guilty to the breach."

Ntini, who incurred a 25% fine on his match fee, was also found guilty of celebrating the dismissal before the umpire's verdict in the 11th over of the West Indian innings. "At the ODI pre-series meeting, team management was advised by the Playing Control Team that no tolerance would apply for these actions," Crowe said. "Makhaya was apologetic after the event and pleaded guilty to the breach."

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50% of a player's match fee. The charge was brought to Crowe's notice by Darrell Hair, Eddie Nicholls and Billy Doctrove, the three match umpires.