Heavy fines for Roach, Steyn

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Dale Steyn felt the brunt of their ill-advised breaches of the players' code of conduct during the third and final Test between West Indies and South Africa in their pockets.

West Indian fast bowler Roach has been slapped with a fine of 50 per cent of his match fee, and South African fast bowler Steyn has lost all of his, following separate on-field incidents during the Test which the Proteas won by seven wickets on Tuesday to formalise a 2-0 series victory.

The fines were un-welcomed birthday gifts for the two tearaways - Roach turned 22 on the final day, when he had a skirmish with South Africa batsman Jacques Kallis, and Steyn celebrated his 27th birthday last Sunday, a day before he spat in the direction of Sulieman Benn.

WAR OF WORDS

A war of words erupted, when Roach almost decapitated Kallis with a bouncer that nearly removed the helmet of the batsman.

Twice, Roach had to be pulled away from the confrontation by team-mates, and warned by the umpires for his conduct, a point not lost on ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe whose job it was to investigate the incidents and hand down the fines.

"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," said Crowe.

"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 behaviour."

Because this was Roach's second breach of the Code within a 12-month period, his fine was more severe than normal.

Steyn's infringement took place when Roach bowled him in South Africa's first innings. As he retreated to the pavilion, Benn clapped and chirped a few 'choice words', which prompted Steyn's tasteless reaction.

"Dale's behaviour was entirely unacceptable and he knows this," said Crowe. "The fact that he was provoked by Sulieman during his time at the crease helps to explain his actions, but cannot excuse them.

"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."