The International Cricket Council will hear South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada’s appeal against his two-Test ban on Monday, the governing body announced.
Rabada was suspended for two Test matches, which will see him miss the rest of South Africa’s home series against Australia with the score tied 1-1, because he accumulated eight demerit points over a period of two years.
Rabada was found guilty of “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact” with Australia captain Steve Smith after dismissing him in the first innings of the second Test. The South African was also charged for sending off Australia opener David Warner in the same Test.
Michael Heron QC of New Zealand has been appointed as the Judicial Commissioner for the hearing, which will be held via videoconference, the ICC announced. Heron will then have 48 hours to arrive at a decision, which means Rabada could play the third Test beginning on Thursday if he is cleared.
The ICC’s verdict charging Rabada was announced hours after the pacer led South Africa to a six-wicket win in the second Test, which levelled what has been a highly tempestuous series. Warner was fined 75% of his match fee and given three demerit points following a bust-up with South Africa’s Quinton de Kock during the tea break on day four of the first Test, which Australia won.
Warner had claimed that De Kock made “disgusting, vile” comments about his wife. Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon was also fined for his reaction following the run out of the Proteas’ AB de Villiers.
Rabada also rose to the top of the ICC’s Test bowler rankings after the second Test, and his suspension has been criticised by former cricketers.