What Is Demerit Point In Cricket, The Punishment For Siraj And Head After Heated Adelaide Spat?

Siraj and Head- (Source: AP)

Cricket is a gentlemen's game, and on rare occasions, the players lose their calm and get engaged in aggressive behaviour on-field. Recently, Australia's Travis Head and India's Mohammed Siraj had a heated exchange during the 2nd Test at the Adelaide Oval. 

In the latest events, ICC has slapped Siraj and Head with fines. Siraj was handed 20% match fees along with a demerit point. Further, Head was exempted, but he too has been handed a demerit point. But what is the demerit point in cricket? 

What Is Demerit Point Introduced By ICC?

The ICC introduced a demerit point system in 2016 to control the growing aggressive and violent nature of cricket. It was brought to maintain the code and conduct of the game and for players to behave normally on the pitch. 

ICC has categorised offences into four categories - Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. 

According to the ICC, if a player commits a level 1 offence, they are likely to be slapped with one or two demerit points. Further, if the offence fell in level 2, then 3-4 demerit points would be given to a player.

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Level 3 draws 5-6 demerit points, and offence 4 is the highest form of misbehaviour on a cricket field, which applies 7-8 points. It is worth noting that according to ICC rules, getting hit by four points in a period of 24 months would draw a ban of one Test or two ODIs. 

How Does Ban Work In ICC's Demerit Point System?

Further, eight demerit points in 24 months would amount to the ban of 2 Tests and four ODIs.

Similarly, Travis Head and Siraj have been fined one demerit point, which is their first in the last 24 months. Thus, they face no threat of a ban. 

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