James Anderson handed a demerit point after dissenting with umpire
England's most successful Test bowler ever, James Anderson, has been handed a demerit point during the Test match against Sri Lanka. He has been charged after he threw the ball to the ground after umpire Chris Gaffaney warned him against running on the pitch. Earlier, during the Test against India at the Oval, Anderson was given a demerit point for dissenting with the umpire.
What is the punishment that has been handed to Anderson?
The international body handed the bowler with one demerit point. He was found guilty of breaching Article 2.8 of ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. Further, 15% of Anderson's match fee has also been deducted for his conduct.
How does the demerit points system work?
The main reason for introducing the demerit points system is to ensure that players don't keep repeating the same offenses. The ICC's rules state that there are four levels on which offenses are judged. A 'Level One' offense generally gets one demerit point, and if a player accumulates four demerit points in two years, he gets suspended for one Test or two ODI/T20I matches.
How is the first Test going on?
Ben Foakes scored 107 to help England post a total of 342 in the first innings and then the English bowlers came down heavily upon the Lankans, bundling them for 203 runs, with Moeen Ali claiming four scalps. England were dominant in their second innings as well, scoring 322 with a 146-run knock by Keaton Jennings. Lanka now have a huge target of 462.
