Wavell fined match fee

The end of a generally well-mannered series was marred by a confrontation between Hinds and Graeme Smith, the South African captain, towards the closing stages of the fifth day.

Hinds deliberately overstepped the popping crease during his bowling spell and at one stage Hinds was seen to spit on the ground. Billy Bowden, one of the umpires for the Test and Brian Lara had to step in.

Jeff Crowe, the match referee found that Hinds breached the ICC Code for intentional throwing, overstepping the popping crease and generally unacceptable conduct. Crowe said: "It is a breach of consequence that undermines the games values and is unacceptable in any given situation. The player has apologised for his actions."

Smith has angrily denied reports that he had earlier used racist comments towards Windies and Trinidad and Tobago player Dwayne Bravo, as he was approaching his maiden Test century. Smith told the South African press agency News24: "This is ridiculous. Action should be taken against the people spreading the story."

According to the News24 website, Smith — speaking from Kingston, Jamaica — went on to say he had a clear conscience and did not say anything untoward to anyone.

Smith also told the news agency he was upset when he heard about the so-called incident after the Windies gave him a hard time on the field in South Africa’s second innings. He had been under the impression the "nasty comments from the Windies", aimed at him were an attempt to unnerve him.

One of the bowlers apparently told Smith he should be ashamed about the so-called comments he made to Dwayne Bravo.

The charge against Hinds was originally brought by the umpires as a Level 3 offence but, after considering the evidence, Crowe used the discretion available to him to reduce it to a Level 2 one For Level 1 and Level 2 breaches of the code there is no appeal procedure for the player.

All Level 2 breaches carry a minimum penalty of 50 percent of a player’s match fee and a maximum penalty of their full match fee and/or a one Test match or two One-Day International match ban.

Hinds and the West Indies are in Jamaica preparing for the first Digicel One Day against the Proteas tomorrow.