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CAPE TOWN - South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs has officially lodged an appeal against his two-match ban for making derogatory remarks about Pakistanis during the first test in Centurion.
"We lodged the formal notice and grounds of appeal with the ICC this afternoon," South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) chief executive, Tony Irish, said in a statement on Tuesday (NZT).
"It is not appropriate for us to deal publicly at this stage with the merits of the appeal before the ICC.
"However, I can confirm that we are now awaiting the written statement from the match referee and the appointment of an Appeals Commissioner as provided for in the ICC Code of Conduct.
"We expect that the appeal will be held within the next 10 days," Irish added.
Gibbs was found guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Code of Conduct at a disciplinary hearing conducted by match referee Chris Broad on Monday.
He is now available for selection for the second test beginning in Port Elizabeth on Friday pending the outcome of the appeal.
Gibbs had been due to face a Cricket South Africa (CSA) disciplinary hearing chaired by Judge Mervyn King, however, following his appeal that hearing has been postponed.
"As the ICC findings and suspension have a bearing on CSA's disciplinary matter, I have postponed the hearing until after Herschelle Gibbs' appeal proceedings have been completed by the ICC," King said in a statement.
Gibbs made the abusive comments, which were picked up by a stump microphone, during Sunday's play.
- REUTERS
