MELBOURNE (Reuters)
Australia captain Steve Waugh has been fined half of his match fee (US$2915) for violating section C3 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct relating to showing dissent.

In a media release issued by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), Waugh was found in breach of section C3 of the ICC's Players and Team Officials Code. The code states: "Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire's decision and not show dissent at the umpire's decision.

"As a result of the hearing, Stephen Waugh was fined 50% of his match fee," the release added. "In handing out his judgment, the match referee [Sri Lanka's Ranjan Madugalle] reminded Stephen of his responsibilities as a premier Test-match captain to present the game in a good light. He also recognised there was no malice in Stephen's actions."

Waugh was called before a disciplinary hearing on Friday after he stood his ground despite being given out during the third day's play of the second Test against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Waugh lingered at the crease after umpire Darrell Hair had given him out run-out for 90 as Australia reached 487 for 9 in reply to South Africa's 277. Waugh, 36, made a diving attempt to make his ground at the striker's end after Damien Martyn pushed a ball to point with the score on 429 after a fifth-wicket partnership of 81 in 92 minutes.

Australian team spokesman Brian Murgatroyd said Waugh had attended a 20-minute hearing with Madugalle and umpires Hair and Eddie Nicholls after the third day's play.

Waugh is one of the biggest names in Test cricket, boasting 27 centuries in 144 Tests. Television replays suggested that the wicketkeeper, Mark Boucher, might have broken the stumps before the throw from Herschelle Gibbs reached him.

Waugh said in October that his Australian side would lead the way in world cricket in accepting the umpire's decision. South Africa's Jacques Kallis received a poor decision on the second day, given out caught behind for 38, but walked without delay on Thursday.

Brett Lee, the Australian fast bowler, was fined 75% of his match fee during the third Test against New Zealand at Perth earlier this month for a code-of-conduct violation after giving NZ tailender Shane Bond an angry sendoff following his dismissal.

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