Separate offence if Jadeja damages pitch while bowling, says MCC by Bipin Dani

Ground:	Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground, Indore
Player:	RA Jadeja
Event:	New Zealand in India 2016/17

DateLine: 14th October 2016

Mumbai, Oct. 11 : Ravindra Jadeja, Team India's all-rounder, who was penalised by the ICC for damaging the pitch while batting in the first innings against New Zealand at Indore's Holkar Cricket Stadium can / could have face(d) a separate penalty code, if found doing so again while bowling at the opposition. This was made clear by the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), the custodian of the laws of the game.

The 28-year-old Jadeja was penalised 50% of his match fees and also slapped with three demerit points by the ICC for "causing avoidable damage to the protected area of the pitch during an international match".

"This (damaging the pitch, if happens while bowling also) is a separate offence to a batsman damaging the pitch. The fact that even if the same player is involved will be dealt with the fresh warnings", the MCC's Communications Officer Chris Smith said.

"As you can see, when a bowler damages the pitch, there is a completely different form of penalty: first warning, second and final warning, then removal from the bowling attack", he added.