West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales has been fined 15% of his match fee following an incident during the first Test match in Barbados against Australia. The controversial moment occurred in the 55th over of Australia’s first innings when Pat Cummins was dismissed for 28 runs. After Cummins hit a ball that was caught by Kraigg Brathwaite at mid-off, Seales made a gesture towards the pavilion while looking at the Australian captain.
Earlier in the innings, Cummins had been fortunate to survive on 7 runs when a catch attempted by Brathwaite off Seales’ bowling fell short. The Australian captain managed to accumulate 28 runs off just 18 balls, which included a six and a four scored off Seales.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) determined that Seales’ behaviour constituted a breach of Article 2.5 of their code of conduct, which pertains to actions or gestures that could be considered disparaging or provocative towards a batsman after their dismissal. As a result of the incident, Seales received an additional demerit point, marking his second offence within a two-year timeframe. Accumulating four or more demerit points can lead to suspension points, and two suspension points result in a ban from participating in one Test or two ODIs or T20Is.
Seales acknowledged the charges brought against him by the ICC, leading to his financial penalty.