Australia player Matthew Wade has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during a Group B match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 against England at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday.
Wade was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.” In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Wade’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred in the 18th over of Australia’s innings. Wade played a delivery from leg-spinner Adil Rashid back to the bowler but expected it to be called a ‘dead ball’ by the umpire. When it wasn’t, Wade then argued with the umpires over the decision.
Wade admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Nitin Menon and Joel Wilson, third umpire Asif Yaqoob and fourth umpire Jayaraman Madangopal levelled the charge. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
From match no. 17, Australia went on to win the match over their arch-rivals England by a comfortable margin of 36 runs in Barbados. Adam Zampa turned out to be crucial for the 2021 winners as he wrapped up the proceedings with 2/28 in his quota of four overs. Pat Cummins also picked two wickets for his side. On the batting front, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh chipped in with 39 and 35 runs, respectively.