Samuels punished by ICC after 'hitting 30-yard circle disk with his bat'

Marlon Samuels took out his frustration on the fielding marker on his way back to the pavilion following his dismissal for 86 at the Harare Sports Club on Monday

West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels has been handed a demerit point by the ICC for damaging a 30-yard circle disk during his country's clash with Zimbabwe in the World Cup Qualifier.

Samuels took out his frustration on the fielding marker on his way back to the pavilion following his dismissal for 86 at the Harare Sports Club on Monday.

On-field umpires Michael Gough and Simon Fry, third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth umpire Paul Wilson subsequently charged the 37-year-old with a breach of Article 2.1.8 of the code, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match”.

Samuels admitted the charge, meaning there was no need for a formal disciplinary hearing, and accepted match referee Graeme Le Brooy's suggested sanctions.

He was handed an official warning in addition to the demerit point for the level one breach.

West Indies won the game to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup, thanks to the batting contributions of Samuels and Shai Hope.

Zimbabwe posted 289 from their 50 overs, with Brendan Taylor hitting 138, before the Windies reached their target in the 49th over with four wickets to spare.

Hope made 76 in addition to Samuels' half-century.