McGrath officially reprimanded for Code of Conduct breach

Glenn McGrath's good mood was later spoiled when he bowled to Herschelle Gibbs © Getty Images

Australia's Glenn McGrath has been officially reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's third Test match against South Africa in Sydney.

In a hearing after play on the fourth day, McGrath was found to have breached Level 1.4 of the ICC Code which relates to "using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture" by ICC Match Referee Chris Broad.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of a fifty per cent fine of a player's match fee.

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden and third umpire Bob Parry.

Chris Broad reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by all three umpires, Australian team manager Steve Bernard, captain Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath.

For Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.