Smith and Nel fined for ICC Code of Conduct breaches

South Africa duo Graeme Smith and Andre Nel have been fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during their country's third Test match in New Zealand.

Smith, the South Africa captain, was fined 50 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of showing dissent by questioning an umpire's decision while Nel was fined 75 per cent of his match fee for showing serious dissent towards the same official by snatching his sweater in an aggressive manner.

Both breaches relate to incidents reported by umpire Asoka de Silva when Nel was bowling in the New Zealand innings. The fines were imposed by ICC Match Referee Clive Lloyd in a hearing at the conclusion of play on the fourth day of the match in Wellington.

Smith was charged under Level 1.3 of the Code which states that players must not show "dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse".

All Level 1 breaches carry a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee and/or an official reprimand.

Nel was charged under Level 2.2 of the Code which prohibits players from showing "serious dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse".

A Level 2 breach of the Code carries a fine of between 50 and 100 per cent of the player's match fee and/or a one Test match or two ODI match ban.

This is the second time that both Smith and Nel have been found in breach of the Code in the last 12 months.

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