Gayle, West Indies slapped with hefty fines

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Hot on the heels of their 14-run, Super Eights triumph over India at Kensington Oval on Sunday, West Indies captain Chris Gayle and his teammates have been hit with a hefty fine for their slow over rate.

Gayle was fined 40 per cent of his match fee, while his charges were slapped with 20 per cent fines, after they were two overs short of their target at the cut-off time during the match.

West Indies did not contest the charges, therefore eliminating the need for a hearing.

ICC match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the fines after he found the West Indies to be in contravention of article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct that covers minimum over-rate offences.

As laid out in the regulations regarding minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their team fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

Gayle could face a one-match suspension if he is found guilty of two more similar over-rate offenses in T20 competition.

West Indies face Australia in a crucial Super Eights game of the World Twenty20 Championship in St Lucia today, needing to win to assure themselves a place in the semi-finals.