Pollard and Starc fined for confrontation

MUMBAI, India, CMC-West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard and Australian pacer Mitchell Starc have been fined for their heated altercation during a match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday.

Pollard, who plays for Mumbai, lost 75% of his match fee while RCB player Starc was penalised 50% by match referee Andy Pycroft after their teams clashed in a tense tussle at the Wankhede Stadium.

Both players have admitted to level 2 offences under the IPL’s code of conduct.

Penalties for a first offence range from a fine of between 50-100% of match fee and/or a suspension of up to two matches.

The incident occurred in the 17th over of Mumbai’s innings after Starc bowled a bouncer at Pollard, who was beaten as he attempted a hook.

Starc went up to Pollard and spoke a few words prompting the Trinidadian cricketer to wave him off.

As Starc ran in to bowl the next ball, Pollard pulled out of the delivery by backing away outside leg stump just as the bowler was approaching his jump.

However Starc did not abort the delivery, though; instead he bowled the ball in anger close to Pollard’s legs forcing Pollard to respond by swinging his bat which slipped out of his hands.