CHEVROLET Knights all-rounder Johannes van der Wath has been banned for one Sunfoil Series match following a Cricket South Africa (CSA) Disciplinary Hearing while Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras captain Justin Ontong is eligible to continue playing for his franchise pending the results of a ball test being carried out in Australia.
CSA Disciplinary Commissioner Professor Rian Cloete has made the following rulings in terms of the CSA Code of Conduct:
Mr Van der Wath did not attend the disciplinary hearing, but wrote a letter of apology (dated January 14, 2013) for his behaviour. The hearing proceeded in absentia within the terms of clause 5.2.1.3 of the Code.
The evidence of the Match Report is, therefore, not in issue and the complaint is established. I find Mr Van der Wath guilty of a breach of clause 6.3.1 (f) of the Code of Conduct in that he used language that is seriously obscene, offensive or insulting towards another participant.
I take into account the fact that Mr Van der Wath has not sought to evade responsibility for his conduct, that he had admitted the offence and offered his sincere apology in writing.
Having taken all factors into account, it is important that an effective penalty be imposed. In the circumstances I am satisfied that the appropriate penalty in respect of this offence, which is a level 2 offence, is a suspension for one four-day match but without the need to impose a fine.
