Windies coach Stuart Law suspended for breaching ICC code of conduct

West Indies coach Stuart Law has been suspended from the upcoming first two one-day internationals against India for breaching International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct during Day Three of the recently-concluded second Test match against the home side at Hyderabad.

Law was found guilty of breaching Level 2 Article 2.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "Public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in an International Match or any Player, Player Support Personnel, Match Official or team participating in any International Match, irrespective of when such criticism or inappropriate comment is made."

Following the dismissal of left-hand batsman Kieran Powell in their second innings on Day Three of the match, the coach had gone to the TV umpire's room and made inappropriate comments. He then walked to the fourth umpire's area and, in the presence of the players, again directed inappropriate comments at the fourth official.

On Monday, Law admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

As Law had received a 25 per cent fine and one demerit point during the final day's play in the Dominica Test against Pakistan in May 2017, with the addition of three demerit points in the Second Test against India, he has reached the threshold of four demerit points, which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have now been converted into two suspension points.

Therefore, Law has been suspended from the 21 and 24 October ODIs against India in Guwahati and Visakhapatnam, respectively.

The charges were leveled by on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Ian Gould, third umpire Nigel Llong, all from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, and fourth official Nitin Menon.

India, who have clinched the Test series against West Indies 2-0, will next face the visiting side for a five-match ODI series commencing October 21.

-ANI