Jayden Seales Fined, Handed Demerit Point for Code of Conduct Breach in India-West Indies Test
New Delhi, Oct 12: West Indies pacer Jayden Seales has been fined 25 percent of his match fee and handed one demerit point for violating the ICC Code of Conduct during day one of the second Test against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
The incident took place in the 29th over of India’s first innings, where Seales, after fielding the ball on his follow-through, threw it toward Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, striking him on the pads. The fast bowler immediately apologised for his actions, but the on-field officials deemed the throw inappropriate and dangerous.
Violation Under ICC Code of Conduct
In a statement issued on Sunday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that Seales breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match.”
Following the sanction, Seales now has two demerit points on his record within a 24-month period, with his previous one coming during a Test against Bangladesh in December 2024.
Level 1 breaches of the Code carry penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a maximum fine of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
Seales Expresses Reservations But Accepts Sanction
The ICC statement noted that Seales expressed reservations about the ruling, arguing that he was attempting a run-out rather than acting in frustration. However, the Match Referee, Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, reviewed multiple video angles and concluded that the throw was unnecessary and inappropriate, hitting Jaiswal when the batter was well within the crease.
Seales eventually accepted the sanction without further contest.
Umpires and Match Officials’ Role
The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Paul Reiffel, along with third umpire Alex Wharf and fourth umpire K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan. Since Seales initially contested the sanction, a formal hearing was conducted before the final decision was made.
Seales’ bowling figures in the match were 0 for 88 in 22 overs, as India declared their innings at 518/5, putting the West Indies under early pressure in the second Test.
Final Thoughts – TheTrendingPeople.com:
Jayden Seales’ incident highlights the ICC’s strict approach to maintaining discipline and player safety on the field. Despite his apology, the governing body’s ruling reinforces the message that such acts—intentional or not—will not be tolerated in international cricket.