Australian allrounder Shane Watson became the fourth player to be charged for poor behaviour during an ill-tempered third Test following his unsightly celebration of the wicket of West Indian captain Chris Gayle on day four on Saturday.
Watson screamed manically and aggressively in Gayle’s direction after dismissing him before lunch at the WACA ground.
His actions did not escape the attention of ICC match referee Chris Broad – the game’s code of conduct states that bowlers must not seek to humiliate a batsman after his dismissal.
Umpires Ian Gould and Billy Bowden charged Watson with bringing the game into disrepute under clause 1.8 of the code, the same offence brought against West Indies spinner Sulieman Benn and Australians Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson.
Benn was suspended for two limited overs games for his part in the ugly and extended stoush on the second day, while Johnson and Haddin received fines.
Watson’s coach Tim Nielsen said the adopted New South Welshman had been spoken to during the lunch break about reining himself in, particularly during a match that has been as much ill-tempered as fiercely contested.
“I spoke to him at lunchtime and said he needs to be careful about the way he reacts or celebrates his dismissals,” Nielsen said.
“That’s probably been one of the things aobut this Test match also, there’s been quite a bit of niggle between the players out there, it’s something we’re conscious of and something I’m certainly talking to the playing group about.
“We’re trying to maintain an even keel as often as we can but when things get emotional, you’re hot and tired and there is a game on the line, you can understand some of the reactions are a bit over the top.
“So we have spoken about it and I’ll have another chat to Watto tonight.”
Watson’s behaviour was remarkably similar to that of Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad when he dismissed Michael Slater in the 1999 Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
After Slater hooked and was caught in the deep for 91, Prasad ran to the batsman with a fist-pumping celebration that seemed equally geared at humiliating him.
Prasad was charged with bringing the game into disrepute and fined 35 per cent of his match fee by referee Ranjan Madugalle.
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