Bermuda's Dwayne Leverock and Clay Smith reprimanded for ICC Code of Conduct breach

Bermuda's Dwayne Leverock and Clay Smith have been reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during their country's first-class match against the Netherlands in the ICC Intercontinental Cup on 25 November.

Mr Leverock and Mr Smith were found guilty of 'showing dissent at an umpire's decision' by Match Referee Mike Procter of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees in a hearing after play concluded on the fourth and last day in Pretoria.

Mr Leverock and Mr Smith were found to have breached level 1.3 of the ICC Code which relates to 'showing dissent at an umpires decision by action or verbal abuse.'

This was the first such offence by both players.

The charge against Mr Leverock's related to his reaction after being given out lbw. The player expressed disagreement by words and gestures and then banged his bat in the dressing room. Mr Leverock pleaded guilty to the charge at the subsequent hearing.

The charge against Mr Smith related poor on-field behaviour. He also pleaded guilty to the charge at the subsequent hearing.

The charges were laid by on-field umpires Karl Hurter and Zama Ndamane and third umpire Adriaan Crafford.

ICC Match Referee Mike Procter said: "Respect for the game and for decisions made by the umpires are the bedrock on which our great sport is built.

"It is important that all players realize this and behave accordingly. This was pressed to both players during the hearing and I trust there will be no repeat of such incidents."

Mr Procter reached his decisions after a hearing attended by the two players, Bermuda's manager Lionel Tannock and ICC's High Performance Manager Richard Done.

The penalty for a Level One offences ranges between an official reprimand and/or a fine up to a equivalent of 50 per cent of a player or official's match fee.

The Match Referee's decision in determining Level One offences is final and there is no right of appeal.

Details of the ICC Code of Conduct for players and team officials can be found here.