Reece Topley fined for smashing a chair after sustaining an injury.© (@ESPNcricinfo)
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS – November 13, 2024 – England pacer Reece Topley has been fined 15% of his match fee and issued a demerit point following an outburst of frustration after injuring himself during the first Twenty20 International (T20I) against the West Indies. The incident occurred on Saturday at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, where Topley suffered a knee injury while bowling.
After the injury, Topley walked off the field and was visibly upset. As he ascended the steps to the pavilion, the 30-year-old left-arm pacer picked up a chair and smashed it against the staircase handrail. The action was captured on camera, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) swiftly responded by issuing a fine for a breach of the ICC’s code of conduct. The violation was “mistreating cricket equipment, clothing, ground equipment, fixtures, and fittings.
In addition to the 15% fine on his match fee, Topley has been handed one demerit point for the outburst. According to the ICC’s code of conduct, accumulating four or more demerit points within 24 months can lead to suspension points, resulting in a potential ban.
The injury to Topley was complex for the England team, as he was forced to miss the second T20 match in the series. Despite his absence, England leads the five-match series 2-0, with the third T20I scheduled for Thursday in Gros Islet.
This fine reminds us of the importance of maintaining composure on and off the field, especially for players under significant pressure during injury setbacks.
