During the hearing here yesterday, match referee Alan Hurst charged Kaneria with Level 1.4 offence of the ICC Code of Conduct, which refers to “using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting”.
The charge was related to an incident that took place yesterday, the second day of the match, after Kaneria had taken the wicket of Mathews in the 45th over of Sri Lanka’s first innings.
After Mathews dismissal, the bowler uttered an expletive, which was loud enough to be heard by both on-field umpires and it was also picked up by the stump microphone.
The incident was reported by on-field umpires Ian Gould and Simon Taufel as well as third umpire Gamini Silva and fourth umpire Rohitna Kottahachi to the match referee.
“Swearing is expressly forbidden by the ICC code and in this case it was picked up by people present at the ground and the television microphones so the potential for negatively influencing spectators or viewers at home, including children, is clear,” Hurst said in an ICC statement.
“Danish (Kaneria) knows what he said was unacceptable but in coming to my decision I took into account the fact that he apologised both immediately after the incident and in the hearing.
“I am also content that the action was not directed at the batsman or any other individual and that the action was one more of frustration than anger. That is why the penalty is at the low end of the scale for Level 1 offences,” Hurst added.
For Level 1 offences, penalties range from a reprimand to a fine of upto 50 per cent of the player’s match fee.
Pakistan captain Younus Khan and team manager Yawar Saeed also attended the hearing.
