Kevin Pietersen fined for On-air criticising of BBL umpire
Melbourne Stars batsman Kevin Pietersen has been fined 5000$(AUD) for blaming an umpiring decision on air while fielding during the semi-final against Perth Scorchers on January 24.
This incident was occurred during the Scorchers’ chase, when opening batsmen Sam Whiteman was appeared to bottom edged Scott Boland to the wicketkeeper,but given not out .Pietersen was with microphone on the field at the time to be part of the BBL’s commentary broadcast and he made a comment on the umpire’s decision.
“That was a shocker, an absolute shocker,” Pietersen said. “He says it could have been glove or pad, and I said, ‘well, he’s got big gloves and big pads to reach that’. Massive nick.”
Australian board said Pietersen “was reported for breaching CA’s Code of Conduct Article 2.2.3 – public or media comment that is detrimental to the interests of cricket, irrespective of when or where such comment is made – a level 2 offence. As per the CA Code of Conduct procedure, the Match Referee, David Talalla, considered the umpires’ written report, and the proposed sanction was a $5000 fine.”
On January 27, Pietersen decided to “dispute the sanction” and after a hearing, which included “additional submissions from Pietersen along with video footage and the umpires’ written report,” on February 2, Talalla upheld the 5000$(AUD) fine.