Vettori, Mills, du Plessis fined for bust-up

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and paceman Kyle Mills along with South Africa's Faf du Plessis were Saturday slapped with heavy fines for their ugly bust-up during the World Cup quarter-finals.

The fines followed a stormy clash at the end of the 28th over of the South Africa innings on Friday when du Plessis and the Kiwis exchanged angry words following the fall of AB de Villiers.

Mills, who was not part of the playing eleven, was on the field at the time, carrying drinks for his team-mates.

"Mills has been fined 60 per cent of his match fee for an offence relating to inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players," said the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"He has also been fined a further 60 per cent of his fee for an offence which relates to conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game or brings the game into disrepute."

Vettori was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for a similar offence and another 40 per cent for bringing the game into disrepute.

Du Plessis was fined 50 per cent of his match fees.

The charges were laid by the on-field umpires and the sanctions were imposed by match referee Roshan Mahanama.

"Vettori and Mills continued to act inappropriately and contrary to the spirit of the game throughout, hence the second charges were laid against them," said Mahanama.

Mills pleaded not guilty to the charges and his case was considered in a full hearing by Mahanama who considered video evidence before handing over the verdict. The fast bowler has a right to appeal both findings.

The other two players pleaded guilty to the charges.

New Zealand defeated South Africa by 49 runs to make it to the semi-finals.

Mills, meanwhile, was on Saturday ruled out of the World Cup with a leg injury and has been replaced by Andy McKay.

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