West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been fined 50% of his match fee and has also been handed three demerit points after being involved in an incident with Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed on the fourth day of the Kingston Test.
At the end of the 103rd over of Pakistan’s first innings, Gabriel’s 22nd, he deliberately made contact with Sarfraz at the non-striker’s end while collecting his cap from the umpire Richard Illingworth, who then had a word with the seamer.
Gabriel was found to have violated Article 2.2.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other Person (including a spectator) in the course of play during an International Match”
In addition to the fine, three demerit points have been added to Gabriel’s disciplinary records. Gabriel admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.
The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire Bruce Oxenford and fourth umpire Gregory Brathwaite.
If Gabriel receives any further demerits in the next 24-months he will be looking at a suspension.