Sreesanth hit with fine

31 July 2007

Shanta Sreesanth and Michael Vaughan exchange words on the fourth day © Getty Images

India paceman Shantha Sreesanth has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee after walking into England captain Michael Vaughan in the second npower Test at Trent Bridge.

Sreesanth, who brushed shoulders with Vaughan as he walked back to his mark on the fourth day, was deemed to have been guilty of a breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.

He admitted a Level 2 charge brought against him by umpires Simon Taufel and Ian Howell, third umpire Nigel Long and fourth official Neil Mallender.

The specific charge relates to clause 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play".

ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle, who conducted the hearing, said: "Cricket is a non-contact sport and any deviation from that fact is completely unacceptable, a point I made to Sreesanth in handing down my verdict.

"I have no problem with players being combative on the field but there is a line they cannot cross and Sreesanth crossed that line when he barged past Michael Vaughan, a collision he had every opportunity to avoid.

"I am pleased that Sreesanth accepted he was in the wrong by pleading guilty and that he apologised for his actions and I hope he learns from his mistake here."

Level 2 breaches carry a minimum penalty of a fine of 50 per cent of a player's match fee and/or a one-Test or two-ODI ban.