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Originally Posted by Andy Mellon I would be interested to know if there are set penalties for different levels of infractions of the rules. |
The Code of Conduct sets out penalty ranges for each level of offence. For a level three offence, the punishments specified are a ban of two to four test matches or four to eight ODIs. According to the Code, the ICC uses an "exchange rate" of 2 ODIs being equal to 1 test, so Afridi's punishment is the minimum which could have been awarded for his offence. Presumably, in setting this minimum punishment, his contrition was taken into account. However, like you, Andy, I am surprised that the punishment is at the absolute rock bottom of the range for what was a pretty blatant offence.
Sterner penalties apply for a repetition of a level three offence within twelve months: such a repetition would automatically constitute a level four offence, carrying a penalty of a ban for 5 tests to life (or ten ODIs to life). However, it seems to me that an offence at a lower level than level three will be treated on its own merits (or demerits), unless I have missed something (i.e. if the offender commits, say, a level one offence in the next twelve months, he will be subject only to the penalties specified for such a level one offence).
The Code of Conduct is
here for anyone interested in reading it (and I believe this is relatively new: it has certainly changed its form at some point since I reviewed it in connection with Michael Vaughan's offence of criticising the umpires).