Glenn McGrath could consider himself rather unlucky. Better batsmen than he have made more fuss at less cost, and his team-mates Brett Lee and Steve Waugh both escaped with fines earlier in the season. But in the circumstances, Hanumant Singh's punishment was spot on. McGrath is no spring chicken a la Virender Sehwag – he is a veteran of 242 international matches, and he should have known better. And, on a day when the MCG's Bay 13 was playing up once again, it would not have been right to allow a player to get away with dissent, however trivial.

Australia will not be badly hindered by McGrath's absence – they had intended to rotate their squad throughout this series, and even with Brad Wiliams sidelined, Jason Gillespie is fit to return for the second match, against South Africa.

But, by frying one of the big fish, Hanumant has set a firm precedent, and he has chosen the right arena to do so. One-day cricket has always been about experimentation and innovation, and so it makes sense for a contentious area such as suspensions to be tried and tested in these relatively meaningless circumstances.

McGrath's punishment may not have much impact on his fortunes or those of his team, but it carries with it a veiled threat for all offenders – clean up your act, or face the consequences when it really matters. Even Australia, with their strength in depth, would not willingly enter a Test match at Johannesburg without the services of their premier strike bowler.

Andrew Miller is on the staff of Wisden.com

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