Jayden Seales Fined for Provocative Gesture in Australia Test; ICC Cites Conduct Breach

Jayden Seales Sanctioned for Conduct Breach in First Test Against Australia

Jayden Seales, the West Indies fast bowler, has been penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating the code of conduct during the first Test match against Australia in Barbados. Seales will face a fine of 15 percent of his match fee.

Jayden Seales (middle) on Day 1 of the first Test between West Indies and Australia. (AP)

The incident that led to the sanction occurred when Seales made a gesture directed toward the Australian dressing room after dismissing Australian captain Pat Cummins at Kensington Oval.

The ICC determined that Seales's actions violated Article 2.5 of the Code of Conduct, which addresses the use of actions or gestures that could provoke an aggressive response from a dismissed batter during an international match.

Seales addressed the incident, stating, "It did not really mean anything and it was more a bit of frustration. Pat hit a couple of good shots off me and I just showed him where the dressing room was and there wasn't really anything in it."

In addition to the fine, Seales also received one demerit point. This marks his second offense within a 24-month period, bringing his total to two demerit points.

Despite the penalty against Seales, the West Indies bowling attack, including Seales himself, demonstrated a strong performance on the second day of the Test match against Australia, the runners-up in the World Test Championship.

The hosts managed to secure a 10-run lead in the first innings, largely due to a significant 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Shai Hope, who scored 48, and captain Roston Chase, who contributed 44.

Australia faced early challenges in their second innings, reaching 92 for 4 wickets, giving them an overall lead of 82 runs. Seales contributed by claiming his sixth wicket of the match, bowling out Josh Inglis for 12.

The match remained closely contested as it progressed into day three, with Travis Head on 13 and Beau Webster on 19 poised to resume batting for Australia.