Mlaba Receives Demerit Point for Waving at Deol
South African cricketer Mlaba has received a notable demerit point for waving at Indian batter Harleen Deol during a recent match. This incident took place in the 17th over of India’s innings. Mlaba’s gesture was interpreted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as potentially provocative.
Details of the Incident
After dismissing Deol, Mlaba waved goodbye, an action deemed inappropriate under ICC regulations. The ICC highlighted that such gestures could “provoke an aggressive response” from the dismissed player.
Violation of ICC Regulations
Mlaba was found to have breached Article 2.5, which covers the use of language and gestures that could lead to hostility from players. The assessment was made by on-field umpires Jacquline Williams and Kim Cotton, with third umpire Candace le Borde and fourth umpire Sue Redfern also involved in the decision.
Penalty and Impact
Following the incident, Mlaba admitted to the offense and accepted the penalties proposed by match referee Trudy Anderson. The punishment included:
- A demerit point that will remain for 24 months.
- An official reprimand.
If Mlaba accumulates four or more demerit points within this time frame, he could face suspension from one Test match or either two ODIs or two T20Is, depending on which format occurs first.
South Africa’s Performance
In the same match, South Africa secured a memorable victory against India, successfully chasing down a target of 252 runs. This victory marked their second win in three World Cup games, showcasing strong performances, with Mlaba contributing significantly by taking 2 wickets for 46 runs.
