Pacer Starc reprimanded for Vijay send-off

Sydney, Jan 8 (IANS) Australian pacer Mitchell Starc was Thursday issued an official reprimand following his send-off of India opener Murali Vijay in the final session of day two in the fourth Test.

Left-armer Starc was charged with committing a Level 1 breach of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct following the incident, in which he appeared to yell in the face of Vijay upon the dismissal at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) Wednesday.

Starc admitted to a breach of Article 2.1.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which provides that an offence will be committed where a player engages in “… conduct that either: (a) is contrary to the spirit of the game; or (b) brings the game into disrepute.” 

An ICC media release described Starc’s behaviour as “an exaggerated celebration”. 

Starc accepted the offence and the proposed sanction of an official reprimand and therefore a formal hearing was not required. 

“The match officials felt that the player’s behaviour was not appropriate, and he was reminded of his responsibilities to extend respect to his opponent and to play within the spirit of the game at all times,” said ICC Match Referee Roshan Mahanama.