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

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

Ponting was found guilty of dissent by ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe in a hearing after the second day's play on Monday.

Ponting was found to have breached 1.3 of the ICC Code which relates to "Showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse."

The offence related to his reaction when Bangladesh batsman Aftab Ahmed was initially given not out following a referral to the third umpire during Sunday's first day of the Test match.

In explaining his decision, Mr. Crowe said: "Although I have sympathy for Ricky I cannot accept his move towards the on-field umpires as they made a move towards resuming play.

"He did not ask for the third umpire to be consulted but when he made that move and spoke to the officials I believe his involvement played a part in prompting the referral.

"That is a breach of the ICC's Test match playing conditions (3.2.1e) which states that players may not appeal to the umpire to use the replay system."

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 Bangladesh team management and Mr. Crowe reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by Ricky Ponting, Australia team manager Steve Bernard, coach John Buchanan, Bangladesh manager Mohammad Shafique-ul-Huque, coach Dav Whatmore, on-field umpires Ian Howell and Aleem Dar and third umpire Mahbubur Rahman.

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