Daijiworld Media Network- Bridgetown

Bridgetown, Jun 27: West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales has been fined 15% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test match against Australia in Bridgetown on Wednesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed in an official statement.

Seales was found guilty of violating Article 2.5 of the ICC’s Code, which pertains to the use of language, actions or gestures that disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter following their dismissal.

The incident occurred in the 55th over of Australia's innings when Seales, after dismissing skipper Pat Cummins, gestured towards the pavilion in what was perceived as an unsportsmanlike act.

The 22-year-old quick accepted the charge and the sanction proposed by Javagal Srinath, member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, thereby avoiding a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Nitin Menon, along with third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth umpire Gregory Brathwaite.

This is Seales’ second offence within a 24-month period, bringing his total to two demerit points. His previous breach occurred during a Test match against Bangladesh in Kingston on December 3, 2024.

Speaking after the day’s play, Seales played down the episode. “It did not really mean anything and it was more a bit of frustration. Pat hit a couple of good shots off me and I just showed him where the dressing room was. There wasn’t really anything in it,” he clarified.

Meanwhile, the young pacer continued to impress with the ball, claiming six wickets across two days, including the dismissal of Josh Inglis late on Day 2. Travis Head (13) and Beau Webster (19) are set to resume Australia’s innings on Friday.

Level 1 offences under the ICC Code carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, up to 50% of the match fee, and one or two demerit points, depending on the severity of the infraction.