MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: Kevin Pietersen of the Melbourne Stars looks on during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 21, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Kevin Pietersen has been charged by Cricket Australia for his on-air criticism of umpire Shawn Craig in the Big Bash semi-final.

Pietersen has been fined $5000 for describing the decision by Craig to not give Sam Whiteman out caught behind as an "absolute shocker."

The Melbourne Stars batsman vented his anger to Network Ten commentators shortly after the decision.

"Shocker. Absolute shocker," Pietersen said on air.

"He (the umpire) said it could have been glove or it could have been pad. I said 'Well, he's got big gloves and big pads to reach that'.

"Massive. Massive nick."

Pietersen has been charged with breaking the Code of Conduct for "public or media comment that is detrimental to the interest of cricket, irrespective of when or where such comment is made".

He accepted the charge, but disputed the sanction in a hearing held on Thursday.

He now has 48 hours to decide whether he will appeal the decision.