Steven Smith pleads guilty for angry outburst during final Test vs New Zealand

Australia captain Steven Smith pleaded guilty Wednesday to a dissent charge following an angry outburst during the second cricket Test against New Zealand. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who unleashed a profanity-laden barrage at the umpires after an lbw appeal was turned down, pleaded guilty to a similar charge Tuesday and was fined 15 percent of his match fee.  The International Cricket Council (ICC) was expected to announced Smith’s penalty later Wednesday. “I need to be better as a leader. That was not acceptable behavior,” Smith said. He added that he believed his charge related to questioning the umpires about the technology used when checking the lbw appeal against New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd Test at Christchurch

Hazlewood’s expletive-laden outburst in the second Test against New Zealand has sparked a war of words about his tirade and the use of stump microphones in the game. While Australians leapt to Hazlewood’s defense, Test stars in other countries condemned his actions. As social media lit up with condemnation of Hazlewood’s behavior, current and former Australian players defended his right to unleash his frustrations in the heat of battle. They also objected to stump mikes broadcasting the outburst globally in the same way as Michael Clarke’s infamous “broken arm” sledge, aimed at England’s James Anderson, went to air in 2013. READ: Josh Hazlewood outburst: Its Australia versus rest of world

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

Australia fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, former bowler Mitchell Johnson, Former West Indies great Ian Bishop, West Indies current skipper Jason Holder condemned the act by Australians and also firmly believes the microphone near the stumps need to be shut during matches. England’s Stuart Broad’s father Chris Broad was the one who fined Hazlewood and Smith. Australia won the Test by seven wickets to sweep the series 2-0 and go to the top of the world rankings.