World Twenty20: South Africa have captain Faf du Plessis suspended for England game

Punishment comes for slow over rate

South Africa have been hit by the suspension of captain Faf du Plessis for their must-win match against England on Saturday.

Du Plessis is one of two skippers, Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal the other, sanctioned by the International Cricket Council for his side's slow over-rate.

Du Plessis was penalised not getting his team through their allocation in the required time against Holland, an offence which carries a fine in the first instance and a one-game ban in the second.

Both South Africa and Sri Lanka, who lost to England, are judged to have fallen short by one over on Thursday.

An ICC statement read: "The captains have been fined 20 per cent each of their match fees and their players have received 10 per cent fines.

"David Boon of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the suspensions and penalties after both sides were ruled to be one over short of their targets at the end of their matches against the Netherlands and England, respectively, when time allowances were taken into consideration.

"Du Plessis pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for a formal hearing. Du Plessis will miss his side's match against England on 29 March.

"Chandimal pleaded not guilty to the offence and, in accordance with the provisions of the Code, a full hearing was held on Friday, with Mr Boon appointed to adjudicate the matter. Following the hearing, the charge and proposed penalty were upheld by Mr Boon, and Chandimal will miss Sri Lanka's final Super 10 stage match against New Zealand on 31 March."

PA