South Africa fined 20 pc for slow over-rate in first T20I against Australia

South Africa have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in the first T20I in Johannesburg on Friday.

Andrew Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after Quinton de Kock's side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

De Kock pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Allahudien Paleker, and third umpire Bongani Jele and fourth official Brad White levelled the charges.

South Africa lost the first T20I by a hefty margin of 107 runs against Australia. Both the teams will now face each other on February 23.