KINGSTON (Jamaica), May 5: West Indies opening batsman and medium pace bowler Wavell Hinds was fined 100 per cent of his match fee on Thursday for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the drawn fourth Test match against South Africa. Hinds was found guilty of ‘conduct contrary to the spirit of the game’ by ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe in a hearing after the match concluded in St John’s on Tuesday.

Hinds was found to have breached C.1, level 2 of the ICC Code which relates to indulging in sharp practices i.e. intentional throwing and overstepping of the popping crease.

“It is a breach of consequence that undermines the games values and is unacceptable in any given situation. The player has apologised for his actions,” said Crowe

All Level 2 breaches carry a minimum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee and a maximum penalty of their full match fee and/or a one Test match or two One-day International match ban.

The charge was brought by umpires Billy Bowden, Simon Taufel and Basil Morgan, originally as a level 3 offence.

Jeff Crowe reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by Hinds, West Indies team manager Tony Howard, umpires Bowden, Taufel and Morgan.—AFP