Hazlewood fined after DRS drama

Josh Hazlewood has pleaded guilty to a charge of dissent by the International Cricket Council after an exchange with umpire Ranmore Martinesz prior to lunch on day four of the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

The ICC has fined Hazlewood 15 per cent of his match fee for "showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match" after he was heard swearing when his lbw appeal against Kane Williamson was confirmed not out by the Decision Review System.

Hazlewood and his teammates believed they had Williamson out in the last over before lunch, but when Smith called for a referral after the original not-out ruling, third umpire Richard Illingworth ruled ball had hit bat before thudding into the batsman's front pad. 

After a wicketless first session, Hazlewood’s offensive language was caught by the stump microphones at the non-striker's end.

"It's unfortunate because these guys are so invested in the game, they’re trying so hard and they just forget they have to watch themselves in that situation," former Australia opener Chris Rogers told Optus Sport's Across the Ditch. 

Former Australia fast bowler Damien Fleming empathised with Hazlewood.

"It’s day four, they’ve been going hard all the way through, pushing for victory … and I know from a fast-bowling perspective what it’s like," Fleming told Across the Ditch.

"You’re getting angrier, things aren't going your way, so you do sometimes step over the line a little bit." 

Fleming also said the incident will be a big learning curve for skipper Steve Smith, who in just his 11th Test in charge, appeared just as animated as his fast bowler.

"Also for Steve Smith, it’s been a big summer, I think as a young captain he’ll probably learn that he needs to be the composed one on the field, he's the one the players are looking for to give a bit of direction," Fleming said.

Rogers added: "(Steve Smith is) the leader and he has to be aware of it, but he’s very early on in his captaincy and he'll be learning as well.

"This will all be an experience for him. He'll know better next time.

"He's been on tour a while now, he’s probably a little bit tired, he just wants to win badly.

"We love the passion, we want players to show that passion."

Former Test paceman Mitchell Johnson took to social media to express his opinion on the matter, suggesting stump microphones should be switched off altogether to avoid a repeat of today's incident.

Johnson tweeted: "It's time for the stump mikes to be turned off. Sure, we have all said a swear word when frustrated." 

Fleming agreed with his fellow member of the fast-bowling fraternity.

"I agree with that (Johnson's tweet)," he said. "You want to hear the appeals and the shouts, you don't want to hear conversations."

Rogers however, took the alternative view, saying that a window into the action is nowadays exactly what fans demand from their sports viewing.

"You do (want to hear conversations) though, don’t you, that’s the thing," Rogers replied to Fleming. "You want to be in the game and a part of it … it's a really tough one."

Injured speedster Mitchell Starc agreed with his former teammate Johnson, saying players are in a no-win situation when expressing their emotions on the field.