Ireland bowler Josh Little was handed a demerit point for the inappropriate usage of language against England’s Bairstow in the 2nd ODI.
Little breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match”. It was a Level 1 breach.
In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Little, for whom it was the first offence in a period of 24 months.
“The incident occurred in the 16th over of England’s innings, when Little used inappropriate language towards Jonny Bairstow upon his dismissal.
Little admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Phil Whitticase and as such, there was no need for a formal hearing,” said the ICC in a statement.
On-field umpires David Millns and Alex Wharf, third umpire Mike Burns and fourth official Martin Saggers levelled the charge.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
In the second ODI, Jonny Bairstow scored an excellent fifty that laid the foundation for England’s chase against Ireland.
The latter bounced back by picking up quick wickets and pushed England under pressure during the mid-chase. However, Willey and Billings played a mature knock to take the team home safe.
