India fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has been reprimanded and handed a demerit point for hurling the ball towards England opener Ben Duckett in the first ODI.
What happened
The flashpoint came in the eighth over of England’s innings. Duckett had taken a boundary and two sixes off Brar’s first over. After fielding the ball, Brar threw it back at the batter in annoyance. Duckett avoided it, words were exchanged, and play carried on.
Brar answered on the field later, removing both England openers in his third spell. He ended with 2 for 61 from nine overs as England made 258.
The sanction
The 26-year-old was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers throwing the ball inappropriately or dangerously at or close to a player in an international. He admitted the offence and accepted the penalty proposed by match referee Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, so no formal hearing was needed, the ICC said.
The demerit point stays on his record for two years. Under ICC rules, four or more points within 24 months can lead to a suspension.
Availability
The warning does not rule Brar out of upcoming games. India meet England in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Thursday, July 16, leading the three-match series 1-0 after a six-wicket win in Birmingham. Brar is expected to keep his place as India try to clinch the series.
