Following the second round of the Plunket Shield, below is a summary of the Code of Conduct breaches.
Auckland Aces pace bowler Lockie Ferguson has been fined $100 for a Level 1 breach of the Code of Conduct during the first day of the Plunket Shield match against the Central Stags, played at Saxton Oval, Nelson.
Ferguson was reported by umpires Chris Brown and Wayne Knights for a breach of Rule 1.4.1, after shouting an obscene word which was clearly audible outside the playing area.
The outburst, which was not directed at any player, occurred after the batsman (Doug Bracewell) edged a ball between the wicket-keeper and slip.
Ferguson admitted guilt and accepted his sanction. It was his first Code of Conduct offence.
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Otago Volts batsman Hamish Rutherford has admitted a Level 1 breach of the Code of Conduct in relation to an incident on the second day of the Volts match against the Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve.
Rutherford was cited for dislodging the bails at the bowler’s end with his bat, after being dismissed in Otago's first innings.
Rutherford accepted the breach of rule 1.2 and the proposed sanction of a written censure.
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In relation to an incident in the same game, Otago Volts pace bowler Neil Wagner has been fined $560 for a Level 2 breach of the Code of Conduct.
Wagner was charged with a breach of clause 2.11, which relates to conduct that is either contrary to the spirit of the game, or brings the game into disrepute.
The incident occurred after the fourth ball of the 87th over, while Wagner was bowling to Wellington Firebird Ollie Newton on the first day of the game.
Wagner had a phone hearing the day after the incident with commissioner Andrew Gilchrist, who noted that the Otago bowler accepted the allegations, showed regret and had apologised to the umpires and Newton.
Upon releasing his decision, Mr Gilchrist said, “having viewed the video, and heard the player’s frank acknowledgements, I believe this offending was at the lowest end of a level 2 offence."
