Ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Australian captain, Aaron Finch found himself in controversy for using audible obscenity in the first T20I against England.
Finch Breached ICC Code of Conduct
During the England tour of Australia 2022, both teams are scheduled to play 3 T20I matches as a preparation camp for the T20 World Cup event.
The incident took place in the 9th over of England’s innings when Finch lost his cool, swearing in at on-field umpires Sam Nogajski and Donovan Koch following a caught-behind appeal.
Apart from Finch’s audible obscenity, Australian player Matthew Wade also faces massive criticism after he intervenes Mark Wood from taking the catch.
“It would have been f****** nice to know in time,” Finch was picked up saying by the stump microphone after the on-field umpires did not give him an answer whether a Jos Buttler edge had carried to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.
Finch was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to the “use of an audible obscenity during an International Match.”
The Aussie skipper, however, escaped a fine because it was his first offence in a 24-month period, but the ICC has added “one demerit point to Finch’s disciplinary record.” The two on-field umpires along with third umpire Phil Gillespie and fourth umpire Shawn Craig levelled the charge, an ICC statement read.
Finch admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
The second and last ODI matches of the England tour of Australia will be played on October 12, and October 14 in Manuka Oval, Canberra.
