Kohli & co. arrive in Port Elizabeth aiming to seal series against Proteas

Kuldeep Yadav after taking a wicket against South Africa in the first ODI
Indian cricket team will face South Africa in the fifth ODI in Port Elizabeth. File Pic

Debasis Sen, Port Elizabeth: Virat Kohli and his team arrived in Port Elizabeth on Sunday afternoon to play the fifth match of the ODI series against Proteas. The men in blue arrived at friendly city from Johannesburg in the afternoon. The Indian captain was spotted with sunglasses and presumably looked serious as he came out of the airport following the 5 wickets loss against the hosts at Wanderers. Few Indian cricketers were seen taking selfies with the fans that were waiting to have a glimpse of their favourite cricketers. Shikhar Dhawan, who scored a brilliant century in his 100th ODI yesterday, looked very relaxed. MS Dhoni was surrounded by security personnel as he headed straight to the team bus parked outside the airport.

Meanwhile South Africa has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in Saturday’s fourth One-Day at the bullring. Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fine after Aiden Markram’s side was ruled to be one over short of their target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Markram has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while his players have received 10 per cent fines. If South Africa commit another minor over-rate breach in an ODI within 12 months of this offence with Markram as captain, it will be deemed a second offence by Markram and he will face a suspension.

Markram pleaded guilty to the offence after the end of the match and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Bongani Jele, third umpire Ian Gould, and fourth umpire Shaun George.