Edwards fined for 'avoidable contact' with Gibbs

West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards has been fined 50% of his match fees after he seemed to make deliberate body contact with Herschelle Gibbs in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 between South Africa and West Indies in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Edwards had bowled a bouncer to Gibbs and, after his follow-through, appeared to say something to Gibbs and then brushed shoulders with the batsman. The charge was reported by the four officiating umpires to match referee Chris Broad.

"There was no question that the bowler was fired up and I have no problem with that," Broad said. "However, the fact remains that cricket is a non-contact sport, a point that has been emphasised by the punishments handed out for two incidents in international cricket in recent times (to James Anderson of England and India's Sreesanth).

"I hope the fine I have handed down sends a clear message to all players that avoidable contact is not going to be tolerated, and if it happens again the punishment is likely to be even more severe," Broad said.

Following their eight-wicket defeat, there was further disappointment for West Indies as they were fined for a slow over rate. The team was found to be two overs short before the scheduled close. Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan was fined 20% of his match fee while the rest were docked 10% of their individual match fees.