Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella fined on Test debut
Sri Lanka’s debutant wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella was fined 10% of his match fee for claiming an unfair catch in the second and final Test match against South Africa. Match referee Jeff Crowe enforced the fine on account of the 21-year-old claiming a catch that bounced inches before him.
Crowe on imposing the fine, said: "While claiming an unfair catch is a serious offence, we noted that this is Niroshan's first Test and in excitement he claimed the catch. We are sure that in future when a catch of this nature is in doubt, he will indicate such."
The third umpire was called for by the umpire Nigel Llong after consulting with Richard Kettleborough, the leg-umpire. On account of the youngster claiming an unfair catch he was charged for a Level 1 offence by all four umpires – Llong, Kettleborough, Billy Bowden (third umpire) and Ranmore Martinesz (fourth umpire).
All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player's match fee.
The wicket-keeper who was summoned to join the team from an A tour in the United Kingdom appealed for a catch in the seventh over of day 3. Suranga Lakmal’s delivery brushed AB de Villiers’ gloves down the leg side on the way to Dickwella, but, replays confirmed that the ball bounced well short of his hands.