South Africa quick Kagiso Rabada’s controversial one-match ban over his celebration of Joe Root’s dismissal is a concern for coach Mark Boucher.
South African coach Mark Boucher is concerned about the disciplinary regulations in cricket which led to fast bowler Kagiso Rabada being handed a one-match ban due to his overexuberant celebration during the third Test against England.
Rabada was fined and handed a demerit point as he was deemed to have been provocative as he loudly celebrated Joe Root’s dismissal on the first day of the third Test.
The demerit point was the fourth he had accrued over a two-year period, hence it triggered an automatic one-match ban – which means Rabada will be absent from next week’s contest in Johannesburg.
“I am concerned, to be honest… you don’t want to take all the aggression out of Test cricket. You’ve got two countries playing hard cricket against each other,” former wicketkeeper Boucher, who played 147 tests, said.
“There are heated situations, the guys are trying really hard and sometimes their emotions overflow.”
Boucher said he was concerned the rules and regulations did not take into account the intensity of the Test arena.
“I understand where there ICC are going with it and hopefully they find a balance that they don’t take the emotion out of the game because I think there is still a big part for that in the game of cricket.”
Boucher said he did not think there was anything wrong with Rabada’s celebration, during which he stormed down the wicket and bellowed at the ground under Root’s nose.
“I wasn’t aware about all the demerit points and how it quite works,” said Boucher, who took charge of the team last month.
“It’s tough because he wasn’t even looking at the batsman but he was in his space.
“The bottom line is that … the match referee has made up his mind.
“In his eyes it was a misdemeanor and a level one charge, which is almost like a slap on the wrist, but because of previous demerits he won’t be playing in the next Test.
“In our days we didn’t have to deal with this stuff. We could pretty much say what we wanted and get away with it.”
Boucher admitted that losing Rabada for the final Test against England is a “massive blow” for South Africa.
“He’s a world class performer especially at the Wanderers where he will be very effective. It’s very disappointing,” said Boucher.
“KG is a team man and he’ll be feeling very disappointed about it and it’s something we’ll have to address.”
Cari
Roar Rookie
As been pointed out, player has to be found guilty bad behavior for three times before being banned for the next game.For Rabada it was his third time and to be honest his lack of control isn't in the past a good example. The on field umpires heard what was said and reported it. I'm happy with that, a line has to be drawn between banter and going completely over the top. He has to put some growing up time in.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Had Rabada been suspended as he should have been vs Australia, sandpapergate probably doesn't happen (on that tour anyway...)
Graham
Guest
I’m a South African who’s immigrated to Oz and to be honest, it seems like they’ve learnt very little from the Australia series a few years ago. Both teams in that series had no idea where the line was and, but for a few dice rolling differently, South Africa could have very well had their own Bancroft moment. But they didn’t and have rolled on unchanged. Boucher’s comment seem like a throwback to that “we know where the line is” to me
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
I didn’t realise this was a racial argument.
JGK
Roar Guru
Yes, Buttler should have been punished harsher I think. He only got one demerit point which is the same as what Rabada got for Root incident.
ken gargett
Guest
fair enough, but we are starting to delve into semantics. he does not do this and he plays next match so same effect. but as i said above, i'm happy to see them treat repeat offenders harshly to stamp out some of the crap we see. perhaps i should have just said that i think they should have come down on buttler with a more severe penalty than he got.
JGK
Roar Guru
Yes because he has now racked up 4 x 1/4 match bans. The key point is, he wasn't given a one match ban because of what he did to Root.
ken gargett
Guest
am i missing something? my understanding was that he was suspended for the next match?
JGK
Roar Guru
He didn’t get a match for it, he got 1/4 of a match for it.
ken gargett
Guest
fair point and repeat offenders should be dealt with as harshly as they can. but as mike atherton (i think), who declared he had no problem with it, said at the time, he was not swearing. it was not directed at the batsman, although he was a bit too close. it was a bit over the top but it is test cricket. i think a match for it is a bit of overkill but i won't lose any sleep over it and if it does reduce the incidents in future, well and good. that said, i still think that buttler was treated very leniently. i think his offence infinitely worse.
JGK
Roar Guru
As many have pointed out, the ban wasn't for the single incident, it was for a cumulation of incidents. If Buttler abused someone like he did again, he'd get a ban too.
ken gargett
Guest
leaving aside the issue of whether rabada deserved the penalty or not (and that said, i'm delighted if the officials are finally showing some spine), it is a bit rich to give him a match ban when buttler gets a much smaller penalty for what seemed a lot worse. one thing to show spine but it must be consistent.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Some people seem to want to look at this incident in isolation!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
If Rabada had been banned for a reasonable period after his antics in the 2nd test then the series may have been a more staid affair! Now about De Kock's abuse of Warner and his wife in the 1st Test ....
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Marty, thanks for the response but looking at it again I still don't see a 1 match suspension.... Sorry boet but I don't. Think we not gonna agree here.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Proving your point? Cool… If that makes you feel good I’m OK with it…. But why not the same responses to a white Anglo Saxon abusing his opposite nr. Way worse than what Rabada did.. In case you haven’t seen it watch Buttlers abuse of Philander same series.
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
x2 Always defending, never admitting.
Marty
Roar Rookie
So what’s the alternative? Rabada is allowed to continue to change direction and run directly at the batsman until one day there’s a collision and punch up? He has been warned on multiple occasions about this behaviour and does not seem to get the message. Should Root be allowed to charge at Rabada screaming and shouting after he hits him for a boundary? The reality is that batsmen should not have to put up with this rubbish and if the administrators don’t do something about it then the players will take matters into their own hands, is that what we want? As far as this ‘heat of the moment stuff’ goes, every other bowlers seems to be able to follow the rules, why can’t he?
danwain
Roar Rookie
Yeah exactly, you are simply proving my point
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
His previous offense was bumping the shoulder of Steve Smith during a send off but bear in mind that series had already become a very niggly affair between both teams and tensions were already high. Remember the de Kock /Warner incident. It was almost a punch up on the stairwell. As a South African I watch a lot of Rabada and generally is pretty subdued with his celebrations. I certainly don't see it as a problem to be dealt with.