Even though his team is sitting pretty with a 2-1 lead in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, Alex Hales’ fortunes seem to be worsening both on and off the field. England’s opening batsman has been fined 15 percent of his match fee for showing dissent to his contentious dismissal and displaying improper conduct in the third umpire’s room.
The controversial decision arose when Hales attempted to flick a full delivery off Mohammad Amir through the leg-side which apparently landed into Yasir Shah’s hands by the thinnest of margins.
The on-field umpiring duo of Marais Erasmus and Bruce Oxenford could not judge whether the catch was clean and had to involve the third umpire's help. Interestingly, inadequate close-in camera angles led to the third umpire going with the on-field officials’ soft signal and sending Hales back to the dressing room.
Visibly disgruntled, the right-hander nodded his head and stormed off the middle. In its aftermath, he entered into the third umpire’s cabin and questioned the decision as he believed that the ball had bounced.
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According to an ICC statement, “Hales was found to have breached Article 2.1.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which relates to ‘showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match’.”
The release added, “He also made some inappropriate comments as he was leaving the room. After the day’s play, Hales admitted the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.“
Since it was a level 1 breach, the rules stipulated a minimum penalty of reprimand and/or the enforcement of a fine up to 50 percent of the match fee. During the previous Test, Hales had parted with £4.10 of his own money to compensate an irritated fan for loss of overs.
For his present misdemeanor, the 27-year old found support from former England spinner Graeme Swann who took to Twitter and claimed, "If I were the 3rd umpire I'd probably feel guilty enough to chip in to help @AlexHales1 pay his fine. Would cost about the same as an eye op.”
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