South Africa's Coach and Player Face ICC Reprimands for Dissent

In a recent ICC ruling, South Africa's batting coach Ashwell Prince and player Kyle Verreynne have been reprimanded for showing dissent towards umpires during a Test match against Australia. This incident occurred after a controversial dismissal, leading to both individuals receiving demerit points on their records. The ICC's disciplinary action highlights the importance of maintaining respect for officiating decisions in cricket. Read on to discover the details of the incident and the implications of these sanctions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 2, 2026, 18:50 IST

ICC Disciplinary Measures Against South Africa

The ICC has officially reprimanded South Africa's batting coach Ashwell Prince and player Kyle Verreynne for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third Test against Australia in Cape Town, as stated in an ICC media announcement.

Nature of the Breach

Both Prince and Verreynne were found in violation of Article 2.8 of the ICC Code, which addresses 'showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.' Each has received one demerit point on their disciplinary records, marking their first infractions in a two-year span.

Incident Details

The reprimand stems from an incident involving the dismissal of opener Marques Ackerman during South Africa's second innings. Ackerman attempted to challenge the caught decision, but the umpires determined that his request for a review was not made within the allowed 15 seconds, rendering it invalid.

As Ackerman made his way off the field, Prince vocally protested to the umpires, insisting that there was still time for the review, while Verreynne, who was not part of the playing eleven, urged Ackerman to stay within the boundary, causing a delay in his exit.

Acceptance of Sanctions

Both individuals acknowledged their misconduct and accepted the penalties suggested by Javagal Srinath, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for formal hearings. The charges were brought forth by on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough, along with third umpire Chris Gaffaney and fourth umpire Lubabalo Gcuma.

Level 1 violations can result in a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum fine of 50% of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points.