Richard Kettleborough, one of the on-field umpires of the Southampton Test between England and Pakistan, has come under the scrutiny of ICC anti-corruption unit (ACU) after he was found wearing a smartwatch in the ground.
According to rules, neither players nor match officials are allowed to wear any transmitting device during the game. Even mobile phones are handed over to anti-corruption officials before the game and should be collected only after the end of the day’s play.
The apex cricketing body reserves the power to confiscate phones in case of suspicion related to spot-fixing or any other forms of corruption.
Kettleborough wore a smartwatch in the first session of the game, but the Englishman soon realised his mistake and took it off after lunch, as per ESPNCricinfo. He himself reported the whole incident to the ICC.
ACU officials exculpated the 47-years-old with a gentle reminder about the rules and regulations under Player and Match Officials Area Regulations (PMOA).
This is not the first instance when the ICC has reprimanded someone for the violation of the same rule. In 2018, Pakistan players were seen wearing the smartwatch during the Lord’s Test. However, they too got away without facing any consequences since ACU considered it a minor violation.
Meanwhile, as far as the second Test is concerned, incessant rain has played a spoilsport as only 86 overs have been completed in the space of two days.
A gutsy half-century from Mohammad Rizwan propelled the visitors to 223/9 at the end of Day 2. Rizwan, who was dropped early in his innings by Jos Buttler, remains unbeaten on 60.
For England, the old guards were once again at their best as Stuart Broad and James Anderson worked in tandem, taking three wickets each.
With more rain predicted by weather forecasts on Day Three, it seems that the match is meandering towards a draw.
