West Indies bowlers Jayden Seales and Kevin Sinclair have come under heavy scrutiny by the ICC for violating their Code of Conduct in the recently concluded second Test at Sabina Park. 

Seales, the Trinidad-born right-arm quick bowler has been fined 25% of his match fees after being proven guilty of breaching article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”

His Guyanese counterpart Sinclair has been charged 15% of his match fees after being proven guilty of contravening Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Disobeying an Umpire’s instruction during an International Match.”

See also: Bangladesh create history in Sabina Park, Register their maiden Test win in the Caribbean since 2009

The incidents that prompted ICC to take swift action

During the first over of Bangladesh’s second batting innings, Seales was seen making an inappropriate and rather offensive gesture to the visitors' dressing room after picking up a wicket. 

Sinclair too did not evade scrutiny as he visibly ignored instructions from the on-field umpires who strictly cautioned him against using foul language. 

Both players have one demerit point added to their respective disciplinary records following the unpleasant on-field altercation. 

What happened next?

Both Seales and Sinclair accepted their respective offenses and agreed to a list of stringent measures proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Hence, no formal hearing was necessary as both WI players agreed to the charges imposed on them. 

On-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Kumar Dharmasena, third umpire Nitin Menon, and fourth umpire, Zahid Bassarath played a pivotal role in identifying the wrongdoing of the players and bringing them to justice by introducing appropriate sanctions. 

It is worth noting that a Level 1 breach carries a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points. But when a player records four or more demerit points in a two-year period, then those points are converted into suspension points, and the player is subsequently banned. 

The 23-year-old right-arm quick bowler Jayden Seales has run riot with the ball in Sabina Park, Kingston. Seales has produced a ground-breaking performance in the second Test to sink Bangladesh for 164. The youngster has etched his name in the record books by achieving astonishing bowling figures of 4-5 in 15.5 overs making him the most economical bowler in Test cricket since 1978 (Minimum 10 overs bowled)

See also: Watch: Bihar teenage spinner Suman Kumar takes all 10 wickets

More about Seales' hostile bowling spell

The Trinidad-born speedster bowled a little over 15 overs on the trot which featured 10 maides and four wickets in the form of Litton, Taskin, Mehidy, and Rana. What's even more impressive is that Seales only managed to concede five runs and went at a jaw-dropping economy rate of just 0.31 RPO. No extras our boundaries were recorded in his marathon 15.5 over long spell. 

The economy rate of 0.31 RPO is now the best economy rate for any bowler in Test cricket. Seales is now ahead of Umesh Yadav and Manindar Singh on the list who are currently holding the best economy rate of 0.42 and 0.43 respectively. Apart from Seales, Umesh and Lyon are the other two bowlers to register such record-low economy rates of less than one run per over in the 21st century.

Bangladesh were cruising along at 83-2 but an unprecedented burst of hostile pace bowling from Seales and Roach triggered a catastrophic batting collapse for the visitors as they lost their remaining eight wickets for only 81 runs. Seales now averages 13.55 and has taken 18 wickets in four Test matches against Bangladesh so far.

 

 

 

 

 

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How is the game set up? 

After bundling out the tourists for 164 thanks to some spirited bowling from the Windies quicks, West Indies adopted a patient approach and posted 70 for the loss of one wicket before the call of stumps one day two. The hosts are in a commanding position and trail by another 94 runs with their skipper Kraig Brathwaite currently unbeaten on 33*.

England made a stunning comeback in the second Test at Trent Bridge against the West Indies. For the first time in Test cricket history, England scored over 400 runs in both innings of a match.

West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. England scored 416 in their first innings, led by a century from Ollie Pope and other solid contributions. The West Indies then fought back, scoring 457 in their first innings to take a lead.

In response, England scored over 400 runs again in their second innings, reducing the deficit. Centuries from Harry Brook (109) and Joe Root (122) gave England a lead of over 350 runs.

Joe Root’s record-breaking performance at Trent Bridge

Joe Root hit his 32nd Test century, including his sixth against the West Indies and his fifth at Trent Bridge. He reached this milestone in just 260 innings, with only Alastair Cook ahead of him among English players.

Historically, teams have scored over 400 runs in a Test innings 12 times. England has been on the receiving end five times. Australia has done it six times, India three times, and South Africa, Pakistan, and England once each.

Australia achieved this six times between 1924 and 2008. South Africa did it against England in Durban in 1939. India scored over 400 against Pakistan in 2005, Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad in 2009, and England in 2024. Pakistan did it against India in Faisalabad in 2006. Recently, England achieved this against the West Indies in the second Test.

Historic achievement for England in Test cricket

England has set a target of 385 runs for the West Indies at Trent Bridge. After being bowled out for 425, England made a remarkable comeback after initially being overtaken by the West Indies’ first innings score. The West Indies need 385 runs to win with one and a half days left.

England sets a challenging target for West Indies

It’s a tough challenge for the West Indies batters. Despite their first Test win, England is still at the bottom of the WTC points table, while the West Indies are sixth. England’s win could move them above South Africa in the standings.

Jayden Seals took 4-97, while Alzarri Joseph claimed 2-103. Shamar Joseph, Jason Holder, and Kevin Sinclair each took a wicket.