South African Pacer Gerald Coetzee Punished for Code of Conduct Violation

South African pacer Gerald Coetzee has been penalized for breaching the code of conduct. He was handed a demerit point for not respecting the umpire’s decision and making inappropriate comments towards the umpire during the fourth T20I against India.

The incident occurred when Coetzee bowled a delivery and the umpire called it wide. Coetzee immediately protested the decision and made inappropriate remarks directed at the umpire, violating Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This section pertains to disagreeing with an umpire's decision during international matches. Coetzee admitted his offense and accepted the penalty.

On the same day, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards and Oman’s Sufian Mahmood were also punished for breaching the ICC’s code of conduct. Batter Scott Edwards protested the umpire’s LBW decision, showing his bat to the umpire after being given out. Edwards was given two demerit points and fined 10% of his match fee.

In the same match, Oman’s Sufian Mahmood, after dismissing Dutch batter Teja Nidamanuru, approached him and told him to walk to the dressing room. Mahmood was penalized with one demerit point and a 10% fine of his match fee.

Both players admitted their offenses, so no formal hearings were required. The charges were brought by ICC match officials and linked to a Level 1 breach of the code of conduct.