Cricket

Reece Topley, England's fast bowler, has been fined 15% of his match fee by the ICC for smashing a chair in frustration after suffering another injury setback during the first T20I against West Indies in Barbados.Topley, 30, injured his right knee during his delivery stride in the series opener on Saturday. Despite attempting to continue bowling after a rain delay, he left the field after one more delivery and took no further part in the match.This latest setback is a cruel blow for Topley, whose career has been plagued by injuries. As he walked up the steps to the players' pavilion, he was seen picking up a plastic chair and smashing it on the staircase handrail.It was a similar reaction to one Topley had in Mumbai during the 50-over World Cup in October 2023. He had swiped another chair out of his path after leaving the field with what would later be revealed as a tournament-ending break to his left index finger.While the severity of Topley's latest injury is unknown, it was significant enough for him to miss England's second match in Barbados, a seven-wicket win on Sunday. This adds to a litany of injuries that have hampered Topley's career, including a career-threatening stress fracture of the back and a rolled ankle sustained on a boundary sponge during a practice match in Brisbane, which ruled him out of England's successful T20 World Cup campaign in 2022.Topley escaped punishment for the 2023 incident, but this time he was found guilty of a Level 1 breach of the ICC's Code of Conduct, specifically Article 2.2 relating to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match."Topley admitted the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson, the ICC's match referee, so there was no need for a formal hearing. In addition to his fine, one demerit point has been added to Topley's disciplinary record. If a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and the player is banned. However, this was Topley's first such offense within the time period.

India's Arundhati Reddy Reprimanded for Fiery Send-Off in Women's T20 World CupIndian pace bowler Arundhati Reddy has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Women's T20 World Cup Group A match against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday.Reddy was found to have violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which prohibits "using language, actions, or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match."The incident occurred in the 20th over of Pakistan's innings when Reddy dismissed all-rounder Nida Dar and gestured towards the pavilion. Reddy admitted the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Shandre Fritz of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, avoiding the need for a formal hearing.In addition to the reprimand, Reddy has received one demerit point, marking her first offense in a 24-month period. The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Eloise Sheridan and Lauren Agenbag, along with third umpire Jacquline Williams and fourth umpire Claire Polosak.Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points. Reddy's reprimand serves as a warning and a reminder to players to maintain appropriate conduct on the field.The incident highlights the importance of sportsmanship and respect in cricket. While competitive spirit is essential, players must adhere to the rules and regulations to ensure a fair and enjoyable game for all involved.

Bangladesh fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct after an altercation with Nepal captain Rohit Paudel during the teams' meeting in Kingstown on June 16.The incident occurred just after the end of the third over of Nepal's innings, when Tanzim, after bowling a delivery, "walked towards Nepal batter Rohit Paudel in an aggressive manner and made inappropriate physical contact," according to an ICC release.There were a few words exchanged between the two players followed by plenty of hand gesturing, with the on-field umpire Sam Nogajski having to separate the two. The umpires were then also seen having a word with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto after the incident.Tanzim was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match".In addition, one demerit point was added to Tanzim's disciplinary record. This was his first offence in a 24-month period. When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and the player is banned. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.There was no need for a formal hearing as the 21-year-old Tanzim accepted the sanction which was proposed by match referee Richie Richardson. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Nogajski, along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal and fourth umpire Kumar Dharmasena.Meanwhile, Paudel had downplayed the incident after the game. "There's nothing between us. Just he came and he told me to hit. And I said, go and bowl. Nothing else," he said.Tanzim, with his spell of 4 for 7, broke Nepal's back in the game where they were chasing 106, but fell short by 21 runs. It was the lowest total any team had defended successfully at the T20 World Cup. Tanzim is currently the joint second-highest wicket-taker in this World Cup, with nine wickets in four games, while going at an economy of only 4.80 runs an over. Having progressed to the Super Eight at the World Cup, Bangladesh next play Australia on June 21.