Starc fined for throw at Kiwi batsman

The International Cricket Council fined Australia paceman Mitchell Starc half of his match fee Monday for throwing a ball dangerously at New Zealand batsman Mark Craig. Starc was fined Aus$7,725 ($5,500) by match referee Roshan Mahanama, the ICC said after Australia won the first Test on the final day at the Grabba. Australia had the match well in hand with the Kiwis one wicket away from defeat when Starc impetuously hurled the ball in Craig's direction after the Kiwi had smacked him for three successive fours.
Compounding Starc's frustration was that the throw went for four needless overthrows, which did not amuse Australian skipper Steve Smith. The fast bowler breached the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a player, umpire, match referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an international match." Starc admitted the offence and accepted the fine. Smith had already taken Starc to task for the throw in the final stages of Australia's 208-run Test win.