UCB Question Kirsten Fine (8 Oct 1996)

8 October 1996

UCB question Kirsten fine

UCB Chairman Ali Bacher will be seeking clarity on the fine imposed on South African batsman Gary Kirsten during the final of the 4 Nations tournament in Nairobi, Kenya earlier this week.

Match referee Mike Denness fined Kirsten 10% of his match fee for contravening ICC regulation 2.29 which specifies that only white headbands may be worn. Since the World Cup Kirsten has worn a bandana in the colours of the South African flag under his helmet whilst batting, and on Sunday he continued to wear this headgear after changing the helmet for a cap.

The bandana was worn all through the World Cup and the subsequent tournament in Sharjah and no warnings were issued or fines imposed.

Bacher is apparently questioning the fine on the grounds that the offending item is not a headband but rather a "doek" (scarf).

Further news is that Fanie de Villiers has apologised to the UCB for the haircut which he sported during the final.

The haircut featured the name of Johannesburg radio station 702 on the back of de Villiers` head and was the result of a bet taken with 702`s roving sports reporter.

Bacher said that the UCB - who do not allow the players to endorse products other than those of the official team sponsors whilst on the field of play - had accepted the apology and that no further action would be taken.