The ICC has rubbed salt in the wounds of South Africa by fining the whole team for a slow over-rate in their defeat to India at the MCG on Sunday.

Proteas captain AB De Villiers will be suspended should South Africa repeat the offence at the tournament. Although he hasn’t come good with the bat yet, De Villiers’ possible suspension will be a huge blow for the team.

South Africa suffered their worst ever World Cup defeat by 130 runs against India.

Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fine after De Villiers’ side was ruled to be one over short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, De Villiers was fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while his players received 10 per cent fines.

For a captain to be suspended during an ICC event, he must commit two minor over-rate offences or one serious over rate offence during the event.

Therefore, if De Villiers is found guilty of one more minor over-rate offence during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 while acting as captain, he will receive a one-match suspension during the event.

If De Villiers doesn’t get another minor over-rate offence during the event, then he will miss the first One-Day International post the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 as this is his second offence within a 12-month period.

De Villiers pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.