Dubai: West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee for making "physical contact" with Australian pacer Brett Lee during his side`s fifth and final ODI in St Lucia. Roach was charged with a Level 2 offence, contrary to clause 2.2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players or Team Officials, which relates to "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play".
Roach pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction so there was no need for a formal hearing.
The incident happened in the 39th over of Australia`s innings when Roach twice made physical contact with Lee. Roach first made contact with Lee when he was approaching him to complete a single. He then again gave Lee a nudge as he walked past the Australian to his bowling mark. Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, explaining his decision, said: "There is no doubt that Kemar deliberately made physical contact with Brett, not once but twice. This is completely unacceptable as there is no place for physical contact in cricket.
"Cricket teaches us to give utmost respect to our opponents at all times irrespective of what the match situation is. This was something which was clearly missing in this particular incident. It is not the sort of example that players should be setting at any time, least of all in a series as high-profile as this one. "Kemar accepted his mistake and admitted that his behaviour was over aggressive and inappropriate. I am sure he has learnt his lesson and will be more careful in future," he added.
The charge was laid by on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, Peter Nero of the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires as well as third umpire Shavir Tarapore and fourth official Gregory Brathwaite.
All Level 2 breaches carry a minimum penalty of a fine equivalent to 50 per cent of a player`s match fee up to a maximum penalty of a suspension for two ODIs or two T20Is or one Test.
PTI
First Published: Monday, March 26, 2012, 18:50