South Africa team fined for slow over-rate

The South Africa team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its 83-run defeat to Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup Group A match played in St Kitts on 24 March.

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fines after Graeme Smith's side was ruled to be one over short of its target at the scheduled finish of the Australia innings when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing over-rate penalties, players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Smith has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee while his players have each received five per cent fines.

The offence is contrary to Section J of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to slow over-rates. For such offences, the decision of the ICC match referee is final and binding.

The full ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Officials can be found here: