Waugh fined 50 per cent of match fee for dissent

Australia captain Steve Waugh was fined half of his match fee (US$2915) on Saturday for showing dissent.

In a media release issued by the Australian Cricket Board, Waugh was found in breach of section C3 of the International Cricket Council's players and team officials code.

The code states: "Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire's decision and not show dissent at the umpire's decision."

"As a result of the hearing, Stephen Waugh was fined 50 per cent of his match fee," the release added.

"In handing out his judgement, the match referee (Sri Lanka's Ranjan Madugalle) reminded Stephen of his responsibilities as a premier Test match captain to present the game in a good light," the release said.

"He also recognised there was no malice in Stephen's actions," it said.

Waugh was called before a disciplinary hearing on Friday after he stood his ground despite being given out during the third day's play of the second Test against South Africa at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Waugh lingered at the crease after umpire Darrell Hair had given him out run out for 90 as Australia reached 487 for nine in reply to South Africa's 277.

Waugh, 36, made a diving attempt to make his ground at the striker's end after Damien Martyn pushed a ball to point with the score on 429 after a fifth-wicket partnership of 81 in 92 minutes.

Australia team spokesman Brian Murgatroyd said Waugh had attended a 20-minute hearing with Madugalle and umpires Hair and Eddie Nicholls after the third day's play.

Mail Cricket Editor