Rabada wins appeal, can play

Cape Town, March 20

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada was cleared to play the remaining two Tests against Australia after winning an appeal against his ban over an alleged shoulder barge on Tuesday. The International Cricket Council (ICC) said Rabada had been found not guilty of making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with Australian captain Steve Smith during the second Test in Port Elizabeth last week.

Judicial commissioner Michael Heron of New Zealand found Rabada guilty of the lesser charge of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game following an appeal hearing on Monday.

Heron reduced Rabada’s penalty from three demerit points to one, and reduced his fine from 50 percent to 25 percent of his match fee. Rabada’s total of demerit points was therefore reduced from nine to seven, one short of the threshold for an automatic two-Test ban.

ICC said Rabada was free to play — which means he will take his place in the South African team for the third Test against Australia starting at Newlands on Thursday. But Rabada’s cumulative points tally means that any further disciplinary action could result in a ban.

Heron said the key issue was whether Rabada made deliberate contact with Smith. “I am not ‘comfortably satisfied’ that Rabada intended to make contact,” Heron said in an ICC press statement. “I am entitled, however, to consider whether the conduct involved constitutes a lower-level offence. I consider the conduct was inappropriate, lacked respect for his fellow player and involved non-deliberate and minor contact. The actions contravened the principle that a dismissed batsman should be left alone.” Rabada’s ban was among the low points of a bad-tempered series, in which Australia’s David Warner and South African Quinton de Kock were fined over a confrontation during the first Test.

Before the four-Test series resumes, with the teams locked at 1-1, South Africa opening bat Dean Elgar acknowledged: “There has been a lot of needle. It comes from both sides and it’s what you expect when you are playing against a quality opposition. The intensity should be there. I think that’s what makes this (Test) format very much exciting.” 

Fiery Rabada has learnt his lesson: Gibson

South Africa coach Ottis Gibson believes Rabada has learnt from his brush with suspension and expects more mature on-field behaviour in the third Test. 

“He has been made very aware of his on-field celebrations,” said Gibson. “He’s not a bad kid, he is a bit over-exuberant at times. But there was no aggressive intent there apart from celebrating a wicket. He’s a smart kid and I am sure he has learnt his lesson. I don’t expect he will make the same mistake.” 

Gibson acknowledged that having Rabada available is a massive boost to South Africa’s chances of winning the series. 

“The No. 1 bowler in the world being allowed to play cricket is exciting for everybody concerned. We are very happy he is allowed to play, we all believe it is the right decision at the end of the day,” he said. — Agencies

Aussies excited to face Rabada: Lyon

Australia respect the decision to allow Kagiso Rabada to feature in the rest of the Test series and the South African fast bowler’s participation is “exciting”, Australia spinner Nathan Lyon said on Tuesday. “It’s exciting, as Australian cricketers we always want to play against the best and he is the No. 1 bowler in the world, so it will be a challenge for all of us,” said Lyon. “ICC has made its decision and we respect it, that’s their job. It’s not for me to sit here and say whether it is right or wrong. We have two massive Test matches to come and we will have to play at our best to beat South Africa.”