West Indies pacer fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in first Test against Australia

West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales has been fined 15 percent of his match fee and received a demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test against Australia in Barbados.

The incident took place on the first day of the Test at Kensington Oval, during the 55th over of Australia’s first innings. After dismissing Australian captain Pat Cummins, Seales pointed towards the dressing room in a gesture that was later deemed inappropriate.

The match officials found Seales guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon their dismissal.”

Following the day’s play, Seales downplayed the moment, saying it wasn’t meant to be taken seriously.

“It did not really mean anything and it was more a bit of frustration,” he said. 

“Pat hit a couple of good shots off me and I just showed him where the dressing room was. There wasn’t really anything in it,” he added. 

This is Seales’ second offense in the past 24 months, bringing his total to two demerit points in that period. Accumulating four or more demerit points within 24 months can result in suspension from international matches.

Despite the incident, Seales has continued to play a key role in the match. He bowled Josh Inglis late on Day 2 to claim his sixth wicket of the match. 

By the end of the day, Australia had reached 92 for 4 in their second innings, holding an overall lead of 82 runs.

Earlier, West Indies had taken a 10-run lead on the first innings thanks to a valuable 67-run stand between Shai Hope (48) and captain Roston Chase (44).

With the game evenly balanced, both teams will look to gain the upper hand when play resumes on Day 3 in Barbados.