Still reeling from the heavy ODI defeat to South Africa in Cairns, Australia have had to endure more pain with Adam Zampa sanctioned for breaching the ICC’s code of conduct.

The legspinner was slapped with one demerit point on Wednesday for the “use of an audible obscenity during an international match”.

The incident occurred in the 37th over of the Proteas’ innings when Zampa used inappropriate language after a misfield and overthrow off his bowling, which was picked up on the stump microphone and broadcast.

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Zampa admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and no formal hearing was required.

On-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Sam Nogajski, third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth official Donovan Koch levelled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

When a player reaches four demerit points within a 24-month period it is converted into suspension points, and a player is banned.

Zampa took 1-58 in his maximum 10 overs and made 11 as Mitch Marsh’s men suffered a 98-run loss in the opening ODI at Cazalys Stadium.

The teams meet again on Friday, August 22 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, where the visitors will be hoping to wrap up the three-match series, before the third instalment at the same venue on Sunday, August 24.