DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday reprimanded West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph for violating the ICC Code of Conduct during the first ODI against Bangladesh in St Kitts and Nevis on Sunday.
According to cricket’s governing body, Joseph breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which refers to the “use of audible obscenity”.
The incident occurred before the start of the opening ODI series between the West Indies and Bangladesh when Joseph used offensive and abusive language towards the fourth umpire after he stopped the pacer from entering the field with his spikes on.
As a result, the right pacer was fined 25 percent of the match fee, while a demerit point was also added to his disciplinary record.
Although it was his first offense in a period of 24 months under the ICC Code of Conduct, the pacer was banned by Cricket West Indies (CWI) last month for leaving the field during an international match following a heated argument with the Captain Shai Hope.
The incident occurred in the final ODI of the three-match series between West Indies and England as Joseph was unhappy with his fielding and was also seen arguing with the captain.
He still managed to dismiss Jordan Cox on the fourth delivery of the eventful over, but he did not celebrate with his teammates and instead returned to his mark.
After finishing the over, Joseph left the field without warning and went to the dressing room, forcing the home team to start the fifth over with just 10 players in between.
Joseph, however, returned to the field at the start of the sixth over, but only bowled in the 12th over. He then bowled two more overs before leaving the field again after two throwing errors. He later returned to bowl five more overs, two in the middle and three at the back end.
The right-hand pacer recorded match figures of 45/2 in his quota of 10 overs.
“Alzarri’s behavior was not in line with the fundamental values that West Indies cricket stands for,” said CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe.
“Such conduct cannot be ignored and we have taken decisive action to ensure the seriousness of the situation is fully recognised.”
