South Africa has faced a penalty for maintaining slow over-rate during the recently concluded Centurion Test, where they beat visiting Indian team by 135 runs. Skipper Faf du Plessis has been fined 40% of his match fees while rest of the team members have to pay 20% of the match fees.

ICC’s Elite Panel match referee Chris Broad imposed the fine on the South African team after they found two overs short from their target.

ICC’s press release for the same case reads “In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.”

This is the first instance of Protea team, but if another same incident takes place in next 12 months then skipper Du Plessis has to face a suspension. However, he accepted the allegation and no further hearing is required to happen.

The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Michael Gough and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Richard Kettleborough and fourth umpire Allahudien Palekar.