Kagiso Rabada cleared to play rest of South Africa v Australia series

AUSTRALIA will likely be furious with the decision, South Africa are be elated. In a staggering turn of events, Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to play in the third Test against Australia.

FILE — In this March 9, 2018 file photo South Africa's bowler Kagiso Rabada, second right, celebrates a wicket with team mates during the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Rabada has been banned for the rest of the series against Australia after being found guilty of two charges of misconduct for aggressive wicket celebrations. (AP Photo/Michael Sheehan, File)

SOUTH African superstar Kagiso Rabada has been sensationally cleared to play in Thursday’s third Test against Australia in a bombshell backflip by the International Cricket Council.

Rabada has been found not guilty on appeal of making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with Steve Smith in the second Test — a remarkable decision that has given the series a boost and the Proteas a massive advantage heading into the pivotal showdown in Cape Town.

However, the landmark decision also raises serious questions about the credibility of the ICC’s disciplinary system, after a Judicial Commissioner essentially rubbished the original findings of match referee Jeff Crowe.

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Despite the fact Rabada got right in the face of Smith to send-him off as he celebrated his wicket, and has five other disciplinary offences against his name — including making physical contact with players — he was given the benefit of the doubt by the Judicial Commissioner, Michael Heron.

Rabada has himself publicly conceded that he overstepped the mark in Port Elizabeth and South African captain Faf du Plessis had admitted that South Africa was “zero” chance of winning their appeal.

Yet the world’s No. 1 fast bowler returned to training on Tuesday night having had his original charge — a fine of 50 per cent of his match fee and three demerit points, which led to a two-match ban that ruled him out of the rest of the series — thrown out and replaced with a lower spirit of cricket charge which came with only one demerit point.

High profile advocate Dali Mpofu has pulled off a seemingly impossible result for South African cricket and Australia must now confront not only the game’s most feared quick but a tidal wave of momentum running against them if they’re to win the series.

“He’s a smart kid and I’m sure he’s learned his lesson from what happened last week and I don’t expect that he will make the same mistake again.” @OdgibsonOttis on Kagiso Rabada. He also gives an update on Temba Bavuma, confirming he is eligible for selection. #ProteaFire #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/3OSgj9FvEZ

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 20, 2018

“The decision itself is great for the series and for Test cricket. The team is extremely satisfied with the ruling that has been made,’ said South African team manager, Mohammed Moosajee.

“We believe that KG never deliberately charged Steven Smith with his shoulder.

“We do understand though that KG is quite a fiery character on the field and there are rules and regulations that govern the conduct on the field.

“Like every other player, this applies to KG as well and he’s well aware of it.

“He’s the first to admit that he must take better responsibility and better handle his positive and aggressive celebration and not to get careless nor to be disrespectful.

“At the same time we will always support our players in situations like these where we believe the code of conduct has been unfairly forced upon us.

“We’d also like to thank the entire South African public and fans worldwide for the messages of support during this time.”

Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to play in Thursday’s third Test

New Zealand QC Heron heard a six-hour appeal on Monday night and concluded that while Rabada’s conduct was contrary to the spirit of the game, the physical brush was deemed not deliberate.

Since the infamous Monkeygate affair, overturning ICC decisions has been rare, but still, the 22-year-old Rabada has come down below the eight-point suspension threshold from nine demerit points to seven.

Australia are likely to be privately furious about the decision, adamant that Rabada’s guilt in the matter was clear. Tensions in an already explosive series will once again be pushed to the limits.

It’s an extraordinary condemnation of highly respected match referee Crowe’s original, considered judgment that had Rabada positively guilty of the contact and therefore rubbed out for the rest of the series.

“The key issue is whether Mr Rabada made ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact’ with Mr Smith. I am not ‘comfortably satisfied’ that Mr Rabada intended to make contact and I therefore find him not guilty of the charge under 2.2.7,” said QC Heron in his judgment.

“I am entitled, however, to consider whether the conduct involved constitutes a lower level offence. I consider the conduct was inappropriate, lacked respect for his fellow player and involved non-deliberate and minor contact. The actions contravened the principle that a dismissed batsman should be left alone.

“I consider a penalty of the imposition of a fine of 25 per cent of the applicable match fee to be the appropriate penalty for the breach of Article 2.1.1. As a consequence, 1 demerit point accrues. Mr. Rabada will be well aware of the consequences of any further breaches of the code.”

ICC chief executive David Richardson accepted the stunning decision.

“The ICC wholly accepts today’s decision and I would like to thank Mr. Heron for overseeing the hearing in a short time frame before the next Test starts in South Africa,” Richardson said.

“This is perhaps an opportune moment to remind all players of their responsibilities to maintaining a standard of behaviour which sets a good example to players at all levels of the game, especially the young players. We want to see the game played with skill, passion and respect for the opposition, the match officials and the laws.”