India vs South Africa | Hosts charged for slow over-rate in Johannesburg ODI

Hours after South Africa managed to make a bleak comeback in the ongoing ODI series against India in Johannesburg on Saturday, the team was conveyed that they were fined for slow over rate by match referee Andy Pycroft. The official found the team was one over behind of their target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

Other officials of the game as Ground umpire Aleem Dar and Bongani Jele, third umpire Ian Gould, and fourth umpire Shaun George levelled the charge. Now, Markram, who got his first win as the South African skipper after two terrible results, will see 20 percent of his match fees being deducted from it. However, a formal hearing was not needed after the player accepted the charge following the game.

According to the Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which is related to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over if their team fails to bowl in the allotted time and the skipper was fined with double of that amount.

If the South African team commit yet another minor over-rate violate in a 50-over game within the next 12 months of this incident, with Markram as captain, it will be considered as Markram’s second offence and he will face a suspension.

Though India are currently on a commanding 3-1 lead in the six-match ODI series, South Africa have a realistic chance of drawing it level especially with AB de Villiers now returning to the fore and David Miller getting back his blistering form. The next match of the series will be played in Port Elizabeth on February 13.