Gibbs handed two-Test ban

South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs has been banned for two Test matches by the International Cricket Council for remarks he made about a section of Pakistan supporters during the first Test in Centurion.

Gibbs' comments were picked up by a stump microphone during the fourth day's play in the match eventually won by the Proteas by seven wickets.

The 32-year-old was charged by the ICC under Level 3.3 of the Code which prohibits using "any language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethic origin."

The ICC hearing is separate to a Cricket South Africa (CSA) investigation, which was launched into the same incident earlier on Monday.

CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said: "CSA has investigated the matter, and we have heard the remarks made by Herschelle Gibbs in response to verbal abuse directed by a number of Pakistan supporters at Paul Harris while he was fielding on the boundary.

"Herschelle says these remarks were for the ears only of his team-mates in his proximity, and were directed in general terms at that section of the crowd that had verbally abused Paul Harris.

"He has apologised if he has caused offence to anyone.

"However, CSA regards this whole matter in a most serious light and Herschelle will appear before CSA's disciplinary commissioner at the earliest opportunity."