ENGLAND seamer James Anderson suffered the ignominy of being removed from the attack on day two of the third Test against South Africa.

South Africa were nine down in the morning session in Johannesburg when Burnley's Anderson was withdrawn by umpire Aleem Dar two balls into his 26th over for running on the protected area of the pitch in his follow through.

The law is in place to protect a critical section of the wicket from unnecessary damage.

Having been informed of his punishment Anderson engaged in a lengthy discussion with Dar, joined by Australian umpire Rod Tucker and England skipper Alastair Cook.

Protocol dictates that two warnings should be issued to a bowler before being removed for a third offence, but Anderson appeared uncertain or unhappy about when he had been cautioned.

The International Cricket Council later confirmed the precise timings of the previous warnings, at the start of the evening session on day one and again in his third over of the second day.

The official ICC Twitter account said: "Anderson suspended from bowling after he received 3rd & final warning in 99.2 overs for running on the protected area after delivering ball.

"Anderson received previous two warnings in 60.3 and 93.4 overs. (Law 42.12)."

The incident actually proved beneficial to England in pure cricketing terms, Ben Stokes coming on to finish Anderson's over and dismissing last man Morne Morkel with his first delivery.

But Lancashire seamer Anderson's pride will be hurt and his frustrations were evident as he reopened his discussions with Dar and Tucker as soon as the innings was concluded.

The Laws of the Game, as provisioned by MCC, leave scope for further punishment upon receipt of the umpire's match report but it is rare for a bowler to be additionally sanctioned.