West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales has been penalized for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test match against Australia in Bridgetown. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and the ICC confirmed the sanction in an official statement released on Friday, June 27, 2025.
Seales was found to have violated Article 2.5 of the ICC's Code of Conduct, which addresses using language, actions, or gestures that could disparage or provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter after their dismissal. The specific incident took place in the 55th over of Australia's innings when Seales, after dismissing captain Pat Cummins, gestured towards the pavilion in a manner deemed unsportsmanlike.
As a result of the breach, Seales has been fined 15% of his match fee and has received one demerit point on his disciplinary record. The 22-year-old pacer accepted the charge and the sanction proposed by Javagal Srinath, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Consequently, a formal hearing was avoided. The charge was brought forward by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Nitin Menon, along with third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth umpire Gregory Brathwaite.
Notably, this is Seales' second offense within a 24-month period. His previous breach occurred during a Test match against Bangladesh in Kingston on December 3, 2024. With this latest incident, his total tally has risen to two demerit points.
Seales addressed the episode after the day's play, downplaying the significance of his actions. He stated, "It did not really mean anything and it was more a bit of frustration. Pat hit a couple of good shots off me, and I just showed him where the dressing room was. There wasn't really anything in it."
Despite the disciplinary action, Seales has continued to perform well with the ball, claiming six wickets across two days of the Test, including the dismissal of Josh Inglis on Day 2.
According to the ICC, Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct can result in a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points.
Despite the fine and demerit point, Seales is focused on his performance in the ongoing Test. He remains a key part of the West Indies' bowling attack as they aim to compete against Australia.
