Dale Steyn and Kemar Roach have been fined 100% and 50% of their match fees respectively after being found guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct in separate incidents during the third Test between West Indies and South Africa.
Steyn pleaded guilty to spitting in the direction of West Indies' fielder Sulieman Benn, and was found to have committed a Level 2 breach of clause 2.2.11 of the ICC code of conduct, which relates to conduct of a serious nature that is contrary to the spirit of the game.
The incident took place when Steyn was dismissed in the 132nd over of South Africa's first innings after having exchanged words with Benn in the previous few overs. As Steyn walked off, he appeared to spit in Benn's direction.
The match referee Jeff Crowe condemned Steyn's actions even though they had been instigated by Benn. "Dale's behaviour was entirely unacceptable and he knows that. The fact that he was provoked by Sulieman during his time at the crease helps to explain his actions but cannot excuse them," Crowe said. "Test cricket can be an examination of one's emotions as well as skill and players must learn to keep those emotions in check sufficiently to play within the spirit of the game. This was an ugly moment of which I'm sure Dale is not proud."
Benn escaped without a penalty, but his team-mate Roach was punished for a run-in with Jacques Kallis on the fourth day. Roach repeatedly walked up to and exchanged words with the batsman after testing him with a series of bouncers. The stand-off threatened to escalate and required the intervention of the umpires and West Indies fielders to come under control. Roach pleaded guilty to a Level 1 offence and was found to have breached clause 2.1.8 of the code which relates to conduct of a minor nature that is contrary to the spirit of the game.
"Kemar was involved in an unpleasant altercation in the final overs of the Test where he had to be pulled away by one of his fellow players," Crowe said. "This was after he received warnings from the umpires and so it could easily have been avoided. It was not acceptable behaviour for a player at this or any level of the game and it's not the first time Kemar has been involved in such behavior."
Since this was Roach's second breach of this clause within a 12-month period, the range of sanctions applicable was more severe - between 50% of his match fee up to a maximum of his full match fee and/or two suspension points, which amounts to one Test match or two ODIs.