During the first ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship series between South Africa and Sri Lanka in East London on Tuesday, 9th April, an incident unfolded during the 44th over of South Africa’s innings. Marizanne Kapp, the South African all-rounder, was reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Kapp was found to have used inappropriate language after her dismissal, which violated Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, specifically relating to the “use of an audible obscenity during an International Match.”
This marked Kapp’s second offense within a 24-month period, resulting in the addition of one demerit point to her disciplinary record, bringing her total demerit points to two. Her first demerit point had been received recently during the third Women’s T20I against Sri Lanka earlier in the month. Kapp admitted to the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Shandre Fritz of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
The charge against Kapp was leveled by on-field umpires Karren Klaaste and Jacquline Williams, third umpire Lauren Agenbag, and fourth umpire Thomas Mokorosi. Level 1 breaches carry a range of penalties, including an official reprimand, a fine of up to 50 percent of the player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
In the match itself, South Africa batted first and set a target of 271 runs in their allotted 50 overs, with Tazmin Brits contributing a century to lead the charge. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Sugandika Kumari, and Kavisha Dilhari, each claimed two wickets, but rain intervened, and the match ended in a no result.