Kagiso Rabada could yet be banned for as many as three Tests after receiving a second charge in the same Test for his behaviour towards Australian batsmen.
Rababa is currently awaiting the outcome of a hearing held on Sunday looking into a potential Level 2 breach of the ICC code of conduct – when he shouted at and brushed shoulders with Steve Smith after dismissing the Australian captain in the first innings in Port Elizabeth.
Before that outcome has even been announced, he faces a fresh Level 1 charge, for shouting in the face of David Warner after getting him out in the second innings as part of a six-wicket haul.
[caption id=”attachment_62498″ align=”alignnone” width=”683″] Rabada and Marsh on day four[/caption]
If the Level 2 charge alone is upheld, Rabada will be banned for two Tests and the further charge could take his demerit points beyond a further threshold leading to an additional game’s suspension.
Rabada – who took 11 wickets in the second Test to steer the series back South Africa’s way – may reflect that his disciplinary record threatens to impinge on one of the most exciting young bowling careers the game has seen for some time. Disciplinary demerit points stay on a player’s record for two years, and Rabada has already been suspended once during the tour of England in 2017.
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The poor behaviour that has characterised the current series continued when Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was seen mouthing the words “F*** off you c***” after being dismissed by the 22-year-old South Africa star in the first over of the fourth day in Port Elizabeth.