South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada ban reduced after appeal

South Africa pace bowler Kagiso Rabada

SOUTH Africa pace bowler Kagiso Rabada can play in the final two Test matches against Australia after he won an appeal to have his series ban reduced.

The 22-year-old was initially deemed to have deliberately made contact with tourists’ captain Steve Smith after dismissing him in the second Test.

His punishment took him to eight demerit points in a 24-month period, resulting in a two-Test ban.

But the charge was reduced on appeal, leaving him free to play.

A statement from the International Cricket Council said Rabada had “been found not guilty of the charge of making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player” and instead been “found guilty of conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”.

It added it had “imposed a sanction of a fine of 25% of his match fee and one demerit point”.

“This brings the player’s demerit points to a cumulated total of seven and he is free to play with immediate effect.” – bbc.com