India's Sreesanth fined for two ICC Code of Conduct breaches

India seam and swing bowler S.Sreesanth has been fined a total of 30 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct on two counts during his side's Test match against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Sreesanth was found guilty of two Level 1 offences after a hearing conducted by Emirates Elite Panel ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama, following the conclusion of the match on Monday.

The first charge related to clause C 1 of the Code which states that "Players and/or Team Officials shall, at all times, conduct play within the spirit of the game..."

Sreesanth was deemed to have acted contrary to that spirit when, after dismissing Hashim Amla in South Africa's second innings, he ran towards the batsman.

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Mark Benson and Daryl Harper and third umpire Karl Hurter and Sreesanth pleaded guilty.

In fining Sreesanth 20 per cent of his match fee for the offence, Roshan Mahanama said: "At the pre-series meeting both captains and the two sets of management were reminded about the need for everyone to show respect for their opponents.

"We do not want robots out there but we do want players to control their emotions once they get onto the field because they have to realise they are role models for all those watching.

"Sreesanth, by his actions, showed a lack of respect for the departing batsman and to his credit he acknowledged that by pleading guilty to the charge."

The other charge against Sreesanth related to a breach of clause 1.1 of the Code, which concerns the ICC Logo Policy.

That policy states that all garments worn under the playing shirt in a Test match must themselves be plain white and this was something that was also referred to in the match referee's pre-series meeting.

Contrary to that instruction, Sreesanth wore a black garment under his shirt while batting and then later in the day, after this had been pointed out, although he took to the field in a white garment under his playing shirt, it displayed a commercial logo.

The breach was again reported by umpires Benson, Harper and Hurter, Sreesanth pleaded guilty and was fined 10 per cent of his match fee for the offence.

Commenting on the matter, Roshan Mahanama said: "It gives me no satisfaction to punish a player for a breach of the logo policy but the rule is there in print and both sides were reminded of it before the series.

"The fact that Sreesanth breached the policy not once but twice showed a lack of respect and although he once again pleaded guilty it was still appropriate he was fined for his actions."

Both hearings were attended by the three umpires mentioned above as well as Sreesanth, India captain Rahul Dravid and India team manager Chetan Desai.

The ICC match referee's decision in the case of Level 1 offences is final and binding with no right of appeal for the player.