South African coach Mark Boucher shared his concern about cricket’s disciplinary regulations after their key bowler Kagiso Rabada faced a ban. His ban will lead him to miss the fourth and final Test against England in Johannesburg next week.
“I am concerned, to be honest,” said Boucher. “You don’t want to take all the aggression out of the game. You’ve got two countries playing against each other in a heated situation. Guys are trying really hard.”
But Boucher also said that Rabada should have been more aware of his celebration. He pleaded guilty to a level one breach of the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct because of his way of celebration after the dismissal of England captain Joe Root during the first day of the third Test at St George’s Park on Thursday.
Moreover, he was fined 15 percent of his match fee and got one demerit point as well. However, it was his fourth demerit point in two years which automatically banned him for one match.
“Level one is almost like a slap on the wrist but because of the demerit points unfortunately he won’t be playing in the next Test,” said Mark Boucher. “Sometimes the emotions overflow so the rules and regulations are a little disappointing but if you know the rules and regulations you’ve got to stick to them. KG (Rabada) knows what he can and cannot do and he maybe pushed a little far.”
However, his absence will be a huge blow for South Africa as he is their key bowler. His exclusion will certainly help the opponents.
“I think KG probably bowls at his best when he is nice and aggressive so it’s trying to find a balance of keeping him aggressive and not boxing him in, but also understanding the laws of the game and trying to keep him on the good side of it. It is going to be tough but it is something we are going to have to address and get a very good balance,” the coach added.
