Broad warned by ICC over antics

Broad's actions have caused concern on the South Africa bench

England bowler Stuart Broad has been warned by the International Cricket Council about his attempts to distract batsmen at the World Twenty20.

South Africa thrashed England on Thursday but skipper Graeme Smith complained about Broad looking away and pointing halfway through his run-up.

Match referee Alan Hurst and umpires Steve Davis and Alan Hill have decided it was "not an appropriate action".

England skipper Paul Collingwood felt Broad's behaviour was "fine".

He added: "I think the game is moving on. People are coming up with different techniques with the bat, fielding techniques and you are seeing things that audiences have not seen before.

"It's the way the game is moving and as long as it's in the spirit (of the game) it's fine and I think it is.

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"New techniques and theories are going to be produced and things like this are going to happen and people are going to find different ways of putting a batsman off."

Seamer Broad attempted to unsettle AB de Villiers in the 16th over of South Africa's reply on Thursday, throwing his left arm out as he ran in to bowl as if pointing to a fielder.

The tactic failed to work as De Villiers worked the ball behind square and South Africa went on to record a crushing seven-wicket win.

But that did not stop Smith calling for the ICC to look at Broad's antics.

"We saw it happen from the dugout. The match referees need to discuss that, it needs clarifying," he said.

"I don't know what the rules stipulate, whether it's in the spirit of the game is a tough one."

Smith's view appears to be supported by Law 42.4 of the Laws of Cricket, which states: "It is unfair for any member of the fielding side deliberately to attempt to distract the striker while he is preparing to receive or receiving a delivery."