The First Test between Australia and South Africa at Durban was a heated affair. The scuffle between David Warner and Quinton De Kock raised the tension between both parties. The second Test although was a lot less violent, it punished the South African lead-bowler Kagiso Rabada as his demerit points tally swelled.
The right-handed fast bowler Kagiso Rabada spearheaded the South African bowling attack in the absence of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. His spells of 5/96 and 6/54 changed the course of the Test and brought South Africa at a level in the series. However, one unwanted incident pushed Rabada on brink of suspension.
Match referee Jeff Crow charged Kagiso Rabada guilty for the incident. The South African pacer barged his shoulder into the Australian Captain Steven Smith after he dismissed him. The Referee slapped Kagiso with the level-two offense and charged a fine of 50 percent of his match fees and further added three demerit points to the personal account.
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The addition of three demerit points to the already existing tally of demerit points took Rabada past the limit of eight demerit points. He accrued another point when he waved a send-off to David Warner in Australia’s second innings. This resulted in Rabada being ruled out of the next two Tests due to suspension.
The number one Test bowler in ICC rankings has appealed against the ban. He will have his appeal against a Level 2 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct heard on Monday 19th March. The Judicial Commissioner for the hearing will be Michael Heron QC of New Zealand who will join via video conference. The judge will arrive at a decision in next two days.
On the other hand, South Africa has announced a high-profile advocate to fight Rabada’s case named Dali Mpofu. He is the same person who was a part of the legal team which overturned the rape conviction of Makhaya Ntini. He has also represented victims of the Marikana Massacre in 2012 and has worked on many high-profile cases.
The South African team will be eagerly waiting for the conclusion as they are already handicapped in the bowling department. Rabada’s inclusion or absence may well decide the fate of the Test series.
