Zimbabwe pacer, Kundai Matigimu, was fined 15 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point after his inappropriate and dangerous conduct during the opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Bulawayo on Monday, July 7.

Matigimu had thrown the ball dangerously at Lhuan-dre Pretorious when the latter was out in the middle to bat. He threw the ball at his wrist despite being in close proximity. The batter had not taken the field as well following the end of South Africa’s batting innings for a brief period as well due to the blow.

Matigimu breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

It pertains to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match,” the ICC said in media release.

The pacer admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by the match referee, Ranjan Madugalle.

South Africa holds complete control in the second Test after Wiaan Mulder scored an iconic 367 in the first innings. Despite the 400-run record being there for the taking, the South African captain did not want to break the record, respecting the West Indies legend’s historic achievement. In addition, this was also Mulder’s first game as a Test captain. He took on the role after Keshav Maharaj was ruled out of the match due to an injury. He took responsibility with both hands and produced a magical display that will be remembered in South Africa’s cricketing history for a long time.

South Africa ended up declaring at 626/5. Prenelan Subrayen, who was handed the debut, went on to take four wickets to help bundle Zimbabwe out for just 170 in the first innings as the visitors enforced the follow-on. They ended the second day’s play at 51/1 and the hosts are staring at an innings defeat.

– Ends