New Delhi: After an ugly stairwell stoush between Warner and De Kock during the first Test at Durban, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada on Friday spiced up the second encounter by giving an aggressive send-off to Australian captain Steve Smith.
22-year-old Rabada, bowling a fiery spell on the first day of the second Test at Port Elizabeth, clinched 5 wickets giving away 96 runs. Rabada tore apart the Aussie middle-order after an impressive start provided by openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. From 161-3 at one stage, the team got reduced to 212-9 after a brilliant showing from the Proteas pacer.
During his breathtaking spell, Rabada on one of his fast reverse-swinging delivery caught shuffling Steve Smith in front of the wicket. After umpire Kumar Dharmasena ruled Smith out, pumped up Rabada moved in the direction of Smith shouting "Yes, Yes." As the pair crossed each other, Rabada made shoulder contact with the Australian captain.
Though the contact was a minor one but the intention and its need is being questioned.
Rabada currently has five demerit points to his name and another three will see him sit out of the remaining two Tests. A tally of eight demerit points within a 24-month period attracts such a penalty as per ICC rules.
The 4-match Test series has already been marred by three controversies of players committing code of conduct offences. Aussie spinner Lyon was fined 15% of his match fee and received one demerit point his ball-drop celebration after running de Villiers out. Warner was fined 75% of his match fee and earned three demerit points for his role in the stairwell feud. Wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock too was fined 25% of his match fee and earned one demerit point for his part in the same.
It will now be interesting to see how the umpires and match officials will react to the Rabada's aggressive send-off.