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Kevin Pietersen fined for taking a jibe at umpire’s decision in BBL semi-final clash

Kevin Pietersen has been controversy's favourite child and finds himself in another spot.

Kevin Pietersen © Getty Images
Kevin Pietersen © Getty Images

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has been charged with a code of conduct breach in the recently-concluded Big Bash League (BBL) 2016-17 and fined as stated by Cricket Australia (CA) on Friday. He was reported for breaching CA’s code of conduct in making a comment detrimental to the interests of cricket while playing for Melbourne Stars against the Perth Scorchers in a BBL semi-final in Perth on January 24. The offence occurred during the Scorchers’ innings, when batsman Sam Whiteman was given not out following an appeal for caught behind by the Stars, and Pietersen commented on the umpire’s decision while wearing a microphone on-field.

Under the code procedure, match referee David Talalla considered the umpires’ report and the proposed sanction was a Aus$5,000 ($3,800) fine. Pietersen accepted the charge but elected to dispute the sanction. The match referee set a hearing for Thursday and announced the decision was upheld Friday. Pietersen now has 48 hours to decide whether to appeal and have the matter heard by a CA code of conduct commissioner. Earlier, Pietersen also advised Australia to learn to play spin properly or remain at home rather than touring India. Both sides are scheduled to meet for a four-Test series starting from February 23. Australia will face a litmus test in Indian conditions where they have not won a single series since 2004. Their last tour in 2013 resulted in a whitewash in the hands of the hosts.

Their last subcontinental tour was of Sri Lanka in July-August last year. They were mauled by an inexperienced Sri Lankan side as they conceded another series without winning a single game.

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