South Africa maintained their unbeaten record in the pink ODI after beating India in the fourth ODI of six-match ODI series at Johannesburg. Winning by 5 wickets (D/L method) in that match, South Africa also kept alive the series as they are now 1-3 margin behind and the last two ODIs are the must-win games for the hosts to level the series.
However, not all things went well for the hosts in the Pink ODI. At the end of the match, the South African team was fined 10% of their match fees due to maintaining slow over-rate. As a result, the hosts’ skipper Aiden Markram faced a 20% match fees deduction as per ICC rules.
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.
Taking time allowance into consideration, South African team were just one over short of their target. On-field umpires Aleem Dar & Bongani Jele, third umpire Ian Gould and fourth umpire Shaun George levelled that charge. Later, Match referee Andy Pycroft imposed the fine on the team.
Proteas’ young skipper Aiden Markram accepted that offence and proposed fine, which means there will be no more formal hearing.
According to the ICC code of conduct, if Markram’s leading South African side commit another minor over-rate breach in an ODI within next 12 months, then skipper Markram will face a suspension.
Also watch: Markram grabs a stunner
In the Pink ODI, India won the toss and elected to bat first. With the help of a brilliant century by the opener Shikhar Dhawan and another great captaincy knock by Virat Kohli, India managed to put 289/7 on the board at the end of 50 overs.
Also watch: Virat Kohli’s six was as beautiful as it can be
In reply, South Africa was batting on 43/1 (7.2 overs) when the rain interrupted the match. Due to that rain-interruption, South Africa had the revised target of 202 runs in 28 overs. With the help of some solid and quick-fire knocks by the middle order batsmen, South Africa successfully chased down their revised target with 15 balls to spare (reached in 25.3 overs) after losing 5 wickets.
South African wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen received the man of the match award for his outstanding unbeaten knock of 43 off just 27 balls.
