Roach, Reifer found guilty of breaching ICC Code of Conduct

DOMINICA - West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach and captain Floyd Reifer have been found guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct following hearings in Dominica yesterday.

Both players were charged with Level 1 offences under clause C1 of the code, which states “Players and/or Team Officials shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game as well as within the Laws of Cricket and the captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that that this is adhered to.”

The duo both pleaded guilty to the charges and ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel handed Roach a 10-per-cent fine and Reifer an official reprimand.

The charges related to two high, full-pitched balls delivered by Roach to batsman Shakib Al Hasan during the course of the match in which Bangladesh beat the West Indies by three wickets to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

In keeping with the standard playing conditions for ODI cricket, when the first illegal delivery was bowled (the third ball of the 29th over of the innings and part of Roach’s sixth over), umpire Billy Doctrove of the Emirates Elite Panel signalled no-ball, issued a first and final warning and also informed the batsmen and Reifer of the reason for his decision, the latter in his capacity as captain of the fielding side.

When Roach repeated the act (off what should have been the final ball of the 43rd over of the innings and his eighth over) he was again no-balled and Reifer was directed to take him out of the attack immediately. Devon Thomas completed the unfinished over.

Explaining the guilty verdict and his reasons for imposing the punishments, Mr Mahanama said: “In the case of Kemar Roach I took into account the fact it was his first offence but, at the same time, I felt it was important to emphasise that this type of conduct is completely unacceptable and by fining the player I believe I have done so.

“Part of the role of the captain, as highlighted in both the Laws of Cricket and the ICC Code of Conduct, is to make sure that incidents such as this do not take place but Reifer failed in that role and, again, I made it clear to him that was unacceptable, hence the official reprimand that now appears on his record.”

The incident was reported by on-field umpires Doctrove and Tony Hill, also of the Emirates Elite Panel, as well as third umpire Norman Malcolm and fourth official Clyde Duncan.

All four umpires attended the hearings, as did West Indies manager Omar Khan. Roach’s hearing was also attended by Reifer as the team’s captain, and Darren Sammy, as the team’s vice-captain, attended Reifer’s hearing.

For Level 1 offences, penalties range from a reprimand up to a fine of up to 50 per cent of the player’s match fee. For Level 1 offences, the match referee’s decision is final and binding - there is no right of appeal.

The West Indies team was also fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the match with Mr Mahanama imposing the fines after Reifer’s side was ruled to be one over short of its target at the end of Bangladesh’s innings when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing over-rate penalties, players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Reifer was fined 10 per cent of his match fee while his players received five-per-cent fines.

The offence is contrary to Section J of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to slow over-rates. For such offences, the decision of the ICC match referee is final and binding. (ANI)