Gibbs banned for two matches

South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs has been banned by the ICC for two matches for making derogatory comments regarding Pakistan during the fourth day of the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Centurion.

The charge was laid after stump microphones picked up the slurs made by Gibbs. Gibbs has since claimed that he was responding to Pakistani members in the crowd who were abusing team-mate Paul Harris earlier.

The ICC released a statement detailing the charge laid against Gibbs.

“Gibbs has been charged under Level 3.3 of the Code which prohibits using…’any language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin’,” it said.

Gerald Majola, chief executive of Cricket South Africa, has also released a statement explaining the incident and indicating that CSA would also hold an independent disciplinary hearing for Gibbs.

“CSA has investigated the matter, and we have heard the remarks made by Herschelle Gibbs in response to verbal abuse directed by a number of Pakistan supporters at Paul Harris while he was fielding on the boundary,” he said

“Herschelle says these remarks were for the ears only of his team mates in his proximity, and were directed in general terms at that section of the crowd that had verbally abused Paul Harris.”

“He has apologised if he has caused offence to anyone. However the CSA regards this whole matter in a most serious light and Herschelle will appear before CSA’s disciplinary commissioner at the earliest opportunity.”