Ref tells South Africa and Pakistan to cool it by Cricket Archive Staff Reporter

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Player:

BC Broad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, GC Smith, A Nel, Imran Nazir

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DateLine: 11th February 2007

 

Match referee Chris Broad revealed on Friday that he has told South Africa and Pakistan to keep a lid on their tempers in the ongoing one-day international series. Broad, the former England batsman, met with rival captains Graeme Smith and Inzamam-ul-Haq, as well as the team managers, before the start of play in the rain-affected third one-dayer at St George's Park here. "I have seen indications of rising tensions among the two sets of players over the course of the Test and ODI series and I wished to remind everyone of their responsibilities to each other and the game in ensuring everyone upholds the spirit of cricket," said Broad. "I believe my message was understood and I look forward to seeing the remainder of matches in this series played in the best traditions of top level cricket, hard but fair." Broad was speaking after finding Pakistan opener Imran Nazir not guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct during the second ODI in Durban on Wednesday. Nazir had been charged by the South Africa team management with "using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture." The alleged incident took place when Nazir and South Africa fast bowler Andre Nel had an exchange of views during the Pakistan innings. "There was no doubt that some strong language was used on the field but I felt it was important to take into account the context in which it took place," said Broad in an ICC statement. "I formed the view it was a passing remark between two players in the heat of a match and on that basis I decided it did not require action from me. Players must be aware that they cannot go around abusing each other right, left and centre and expect to avoid punishment and if that type and level of abuse is reported and the player is found guilty then I will take firm action. However, I believe players must still be able to display and express a degree of emotion and passion on the field because they are not robots; they are human beings and we must have some recognition of that." Nazir made just 13 runs on Friday as Pakistan reached 245-9 before rain forced the third match in the five-game series to be declared a no-result. The series stands at 1-1 with the fourth clash scheduled for Cape Town on Sunday.