South Africa fined for slow over-rate

South Africa have been fined for a slow over-rate during their 13-run win against New Zealand in the World Twenty20 Super Eights, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday.

Match referee Alan Hurst imposed the fines after South Africa were ruled to be be one over short of their target at the end of the match, at the Kensington Oval here on Thursday, when time allowances were taken into consideration.

Teams are allowed an hour and 20 minutes to bowl their full 20 overs in a Twenty20 international although officials will allow some leeway for stoppages caused by incidents such as balls being hit way into the crowd and players who require on-field treatment for injuries.

South Africa could be seen rushing towards the end of New Zealand's innings, seemingly aware a fine might be looming, but they failed to escape punishment from former Australia fast bowler Hurst. Under ICC regulations, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount. Consequently, South Africa captain Graeme Smith was fined 20 percent of his match fee and his players received 10 percent fines.

If Smith, as captain, is guilty of two further similar over-rate offences in Twenty20 internationals over the next 12 months he will, under the ICC's code of conduct, receive a one-match suspension. AFP