Hinds pays price for improper conduct

Wavell Hinds, the West Indies opening batsman, has been fined his match fee for breaching the International Cricket Conference's Code of Conduct during the fourth Test against South Africa in Antigua.

Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, was cleared of any misconduct following an incident involving the two players on Tuesday.

Hinds was reportedly angered by comments made by Smith to the West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo during the final day. Hinds' frustration manifested itself during one ball to Smith, which he delivered with a bent arm from nearly a yard over the front crease.

The ICC said in a statement yesterday that Hinds had breached its code for "intentional throwing and overstepping the popping crease and generally unacceptable conduct".

Smith was found not guilty of, "conduct unbecoming [to his] status which could bring himself or the game into disrepute".

"No evidence was produced or found to support the serious nature of the alleged breach," Jeff Crowe, the match referee, said of the accusations levelled against Smith.