The Australian cricket captain Steve Smith has been fined 30 per cent of his match fee for dissent after a confrontation with the umpires in the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.
Australian captain Steve Smith was upset with the umpire's call. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Australia won the Test by seven wickets to move to the top of the world rankings, but amid the celebrations was Smith's summons before the International Cricket Council match referee to explain his actions.
He was later fined in connection with the same obscenity-laden rant that had already cost Josh Hazlewood 15 per cent of his match fee.
The seamer asked umpire Ranmore Martinesz "Who the f*** is the third umpire?" after having an LBW appeal turned down on review.
Smith could not be heard launching any obscenities but was visibly angered by the decision to allow Kane Williamson to stay at the crease on day four.
But the skipper defended Australia as a team that plays the game hard and pushes the boundaries without intending to offend.
"I don't think we're not nice guys. We play a good, hard, aggressive brand of cricket," Smith said, admitting he and Hazlewood were wrong in how they approached the umpires.
