South African fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, will be able to participate in the third Test match against Australia in the ongoing Test series after the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to overturn its ban handed to him before.

Kagiso Rabada was not found guilty by the ICC of Level 2 offence but was found guilty of conduct against the spirit of the game. The paceman was fined 25% of his match fee and one demerit point in the ICC’s latest hearing. Rabada has been allowed to participate in international cricket with immediate effect.

Judicial Commissioner Michael Heron, appointed by the ICC, in his statement said, “The key issue is whether Mr Rabada made ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact’ with Mr Smith. I am not ‘comfortably satisfied’ that Mr Rabada intended to make contact and I, therefore, find him not guilty of the charge under 2.2.7.”

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson took the opportunity to remind players about the discipline in the game. He said, “This is perhaps an opportune moment to remind all players of their responsibilities to maintaining a standard of behaviour which sets a good example to players at all levels of the game, especially the young players.”

Earlier, Kagiso Rabada had filed an appeal against ICC’s previous ruling of the ban of two Test matches. South African team management was hopeful of Rabada’s participation and had named in the squad for the third Test match.

Rabada was named the Player of the Match in the series-levelling victory against the Aussies in the second Test match at Port Elizabeth. However, he made a physical contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after his dismissal. The following incident, whether intentional or unintentional, was the centre point of all the ban-fiasco around the Proteas’ fast bowler.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 20, 2018 02:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).