Ntini fined 25 per cent of match fee for Code of Conduct breach

South African bowler Makhaya Ntini has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's third ODI match against the West Indies.

Ntini was found guilty of `excessive appealing' by ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe in a hearing after play concluded in Bridgetown on Wednesday.

Ntini was found to have breached 1.5 Level 1 of the ICC Code which relates to `the practice of celebrating a dismissal before the decision has been given' in the 11th over of the West Indies innings.

"At the ODI pre-series meeting, team management was advised by the Playing Control Team that no tolerance would apply for these actions. Makhaya was apologetic after the event and pleaded guilty to the breach," said Mr Crowe.

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

The charge was brought by the match umpires Darrell Hair, Eddie Nicholls and Billy Doctrove.

Jeff Crowe reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by Ntini, South African team manager Goolam Rajah and umpires Hair, Nicholls and Doctrove. For Level 1 and Level 2 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.