Roach slapped with fine over Lee incident

Gros Islet (St.Lucia), March 27 (IANS/CMC) West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach has been fined half his match fee for his altercation with Australian speedster Brett Lee during the fifth One-Day International here.

The 23-year-old was charged with and pleaded guilty to breaking the International Cricket Council's Code of Conduct (ICC) relating to 'inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play'.

'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,' said match referee Andy Pycroft in a statement Monday.

'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.

He added: '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.'

The incident occurred in the 39th over of Australia's innings Sunday when Roach twice bumped Lee, as tempers flared at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

Roach first bumped Lee as the batsman neared him while completing a single and then again as he walked past Lee to his bowling mark.

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Peter Nero, third umpire Shavir Tarapore and fourth official Gregory Brathwaite.