Kagiso Rabada appeals against Level 2 ban
The judicial commissioner is likely to be appointed by Friday, while the hearing should take place by March 23.
Published : Mar 14, 2018 18:50 IST
South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, on Wednesday, appealed against the Level 2 ban imposed on him by the International Cricket Council (ICC). He had earned three demerit points during the second Test between South Africa and Australia, in Port Elizabeth. If ICC overturns his ban, he could still feature in the South African team for the third Test in Cape Town.
Rabada, who was found guilty of giving a send-off to Australian skipper Steve Smith, as he made deliberate contact with him when he brushed the shoulder and yelled: “Yes, yes, yes”.
Rabada was already on five demerit points coming into the Test, and the three added demerit points took the total tally to eight, which carries a two-Test suspension, therefore ruling him out of the remainder of the series.
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He also earned another demerit point in the second innings of the second Test, when he gave David Warner a send-off. Now, if Rabada reaches a total tally of 12 demerit points, he would receive a three-Test ban.
As per the ICC laws, the code of conduct clause 8.2.3.1 states that a judicial commissioner must be appointed within 48 hours of receipt of a players' notice to appeal and clause 8.2.3.4 states that a hearing must be held within seven days of the commissioner being appointed.
The judicial commissioner is likely to be appointed by Friday, while the hearing should take place by March 23. Meanwhile, the CSA can also urge the board to put Rabada’s suspension on hold, thus allowing him to play in the third Test.
However, it should also be noted that in case Rabada loses the appeal, he would be at the risk of getting his ban increased, according to ICC's clause 8.2.3.3. Meanwhile, CSA is yet to announce the legal team for Rabada, and an announcement is expected shortly.