Johnson, Styris fined for on-field spat by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Scorecard:	New Zealand v Australia
Event:	Australia in New Zealand 2009/10

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DateLine: 4th March 2010

 

 

 

Mitchell Johnson of Australia and New Zealand's Scott Styris have both been found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the ODI which took place between the two teams in Napier on Wednesday.

 

Johnson 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".

 

The offence related to an exchange with Styris at the conclusion of the 46th over during New Zealand's innings. Initially, there was a verbal exchange between the two players but at that point Johnson approached Styris and made what the umpires felt was deliberate and inappropriate physical contact with his opponent.

 

Johnson pleaded guilty at an early stage and as such, under the provisions of the code, the matter was determined by the match referee without the need for a full hearing. Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed a fine equivalent to 60 per cent of the player's match fee.

 

Meanwhile, Styris was charged with a Level 1 offence as a result of the same incident. The umpires felt Styris contributed to the verbal exchange that preceded the physical contact and that his actions contravened clause 2.1.8 which covers actions that are contrary to the spirit of cricket or bring the game into disrepute. Styris pleaded guilty at an early stage and, again, the matter was determined by the match referee without a full hearing. Mr Madugalle imposed a fine equivalent to 15 per cent of the player's match fee.

 

Both charges were laid by on-field umpires Rudi Koertzen and Tony Hill, both of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, as well as third umpire Chris Gaffaney.

 

In addition, Mr Madugalle took the time to remind both players of their responsibilities under the code.

 

"Sometimes in the heat of competition players cross over the line of what is acceptable behaviour and that has clearly happened in this case," said Mr Madugalle.

 

"I made it clear to them that as role models it's important that they conduct themselves not only within the laws of cricket but also in keeping with the spirit of the game," he said.

 

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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