Lyon fined for run out send-off

Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has been fined by the International Cricket Council for his involvement in the run out of AB de Villiers on Sunday. 

After dislodging the bails to run out de Villiers, Lyon dropped the ball which grazed the chest of the batsman who was on the ground next to the pitch having dived back to make his ground.

Lyon has been charged with a Level 1 breach, which has seen the off-spinner fined 15 percent of his match and one demerit point added to his record. Four points would result in missing a Test match.

Lyon was found to breach Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game."

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said Lyon has been in touch with de Villiers to say there was no malice intended and apologised.

The two were seen at Kingsmead prior to play starting shaking hands as each side warmed-up. 

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith labelled Lyon's actions unnecessary. 

"The Aussies were pretty fired up at that time pushing for a victory," Smith told cricket.com.au in Durban on day four.

"But he (Lyon) is an experienced cricketer. 

"I think he'll probably say it was unnecessary himself."

Cricket.com.au has also sought comment from the ICC regarding Sunday's incident involving David Warner and Quinton de Kock. 

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13. Live coverage

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage