Australia and Sharma fined by ICC

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Under the leadership of stand-in captain Steve Smith Australia cruised to victory in the second Test to take a 2-0 lead, however the hosts were judged to have been three overs short of their target.

As a result Smith has been fined 60 per cent of his match fee in accordance with article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, while the rest of the team have received 30 per cent fines.

Smith could face further sanctions if he is found guilty of the same offence again in the next 12 months, with a one-match suspension then imposed.

The hosts were not the only ones to be found guilty of breaching the rules during the opening match of the four-Test series, with India bowler Ishant Sharma reprimanded for using inappropriate language.

Sharma's sanction relates to his dismissal of Smith in Australia's first innings, when he was seen verbally abusing the batsman having bowled him for 133, a charge he admitted to the match referee.

As a result, Sharma was deducted 15 per cent of his match fee in accordance with article 2.1.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

The two sides meet again on Boxing Day in the third Test in Melbourne, with the tourists needing to win to stay in the series.

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