The 2024 T20 World Cup could be Southee’s last major ICC event

Veteran New Zealand bowler Tim Southee has been officially warned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for committing a Level 1 offence according to the Code of Conduct. The incident in question took place during the 2024 T20 World Cup Group C clash against the West Indies in Trinidad on Wednesday, June 12.

According to a statement by the ICC, Southee breached Article 2.2 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which concerns with “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”

‘New Zealand player Tim Southee has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Group C match against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad on Wednesday,’ ICC’s statement read

He apparently hit a hand sanitizer dispenser on the way to the dressing room after being dismissed during the run chase. The veteran had come into bat in the 18th over after Glenn Phillips’ departure was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Alzarri Joseph.

The dismissal just took the Blackcaps closer to defeat after failing to chase down the 150-run target set by the co-hosts. Following their loss to the Men in Maroon, and Afghanistan’s recent triumph over Papua New Guinea, the Kane Williamson-led side have been knocked out of the competition.

Although Southee has accepted the sanction laid out by match referee David Boon and the matter has been deemed close, the player will incur one demerit point to his disciplinary record.

Southee was one of the three changes named by New Zealand for the West Indies clash

Tim Southee was not part of the New Zealand playing XI that suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in their opening fixture at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The right-arm seamer came into the team in place of Matt Henry while Rachin Ravindra and James Neesham also came in for Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell respectively.

Southee bowled a brilliant spell with the new ball, and had ended with figures of 2-21 off his four overs. He had accounted for the key wickets of Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell, and played a huge role in reducing the co-hosts to 30-5 at one stage.

Southee has not been handed a ban for his offence, and he is eligible for selection in New Zealand’s remaining matches in the group stage against Papua New Guinea and Uganda.