(Image source from: ICC Cricket)

India fast bowler Ishant Sharma on Friday has been fined 15 percent of his match and as well received one demerit point after being found guilty of a Level 1 breach of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during the third day’s play in the first Test against England at Edgbaston.

Sharma was found to have profaned Article 2.1.7 of the code, which relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an international match."

The incident took place during the first session's play on Friday when Sharma celebrated the dismissal of Dawid Malan in close proximity to him, an action which in the perspective of the officials of the match had the possibility to provoke an aggressive reaction from the departing batsman.

The sanction proposed was admitted and accepted by Sharma, after the day's play, which was proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Marais Erasmus, all from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, as well as fourth umpire Tim Robinson.

A minimum penalty of an official reprimand is carried for the Level 1 breaches, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points.

By Sowmya Sangam