South Africa spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba has officially been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for her conduct during the match against India in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
Alongside the reprimand, one demerit point has been added to Mlaba’s disciplinary record.
In the 17th over of India’s innings, Mlaba dismissed India’s number three batter, Harleen Deol, with a beautiful delivery that pitched on middle and beat the outside edge to hit the stumps. During her celebration, the left-arm spinner waved goodbye to the departing batter – a gesture that has landed her in trouble.
Mlaba was found to have violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to “the use of language, actions, or gestures that disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter following their dismissal during an international match”.
On-field umpires Jacqueline Williams and Kim Cotton, third umpire Candace Le Borde, and fourth umpire Sue Redfern, levelled the charge. Match referee Trudy Anderson proposed the sanction, and Mlaba admitted to the offence. As the South African player accepted the charge, a formal hearing was not required.
This was her first offence within a 24-month period.
If a player accumulates four or more demerit points within this period, they may be suspended for one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is – whichever comes first.
In the World Cup so far, Mlaba has taken six wickets in three matches. In the game against India, her spell of 2 for 46 helped South Africa defeat India in Visakhapatnam.
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