Proteas opener Dean Elgar reprimanded after hitting stumps

Harare: South Africa opener Dean Elgar has been reprimanded for reacting angrily to his dismissal on the fourth day of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Harare on Tuesday.

Edgar, who hit a stump with his bat after being cleaned up by Zimbabwean medium-pacer Tendai Chatara during South Africa`s 41-run winning chase, pleaded guilty to a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. It relates to "Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match." The charge was brought by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Jeremiah Matibiri and fourth umpire Owen Chirombe. The batsman admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Roshan Mahanama of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing. All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player`s match fee. Left-handed Elgar, 27, has represented the rainbow nation in 12 Tests, scoring 536 runs at an average of 31.52. Incidentally Chatara, who bats at No.10, was also reprimanded -- Level 1 offence -- for showing dissent after the on-field umpire ruled him out caught behind off Dale Steyn on the opening day of the match.