By board for boorish behaviour
Australia spinner Steve O’keefe has been sanctioned by the country’s cricket governing body, Cricket Australia (CA), over a drunken incident involving the player.
Steve O’keefe, whose phenomenal performance with the ball during the opening Test in Pune against India had helped the visitors clinch a shock 333run victory, was found guilty of a Level 2 offence under the governing body’s Code of Conduct for making ‘highly inappropriate comments whilst under the influence of alcohol’ during a Cricket New South Wales (NSW) function, a CA statement revealed.
“O’keefe was charged with a breach of Article 2.2.11 of the Code - conduct unbecoming of a representative. As this is O’keefe’s second offence under the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct, within the last 18 months, a fine of $20,000 was proposed and accepted.
O’keefe will also undergo further appropriate counselling. Given he accepted the proposed sanction and charge no hearing
“Cricket NSW has also elected to impose a further sanction which will see O’keefe excluded from consideration for selection by NSW for the 2017 One-day Domestic tournament,” the statement read.
Andrew Jones, CEO of Cricket NSW, said, “Stephen has not upheld the standards expected of a NSW and Australian cricketer in the aftermath of the India tour where he proudly represented his state and country.
“As this is his second recent offence we believe a strong penalty is appropriate At Cricket achieve their potential on and off the field and Stephen needs to refocus himself on that task.”
CONTRITE STEVE OFFERS APOLOGY
O’keefe has offered an unconditional apology for the behaviour following the sanction.
“At an official Cricket NSW function I became intoxicated and made highly inappropriate comments. There is no excuse for this and I take full responsibility and offer an unconditional apology,” he said.
AFGHANISTAN TO PLAY MCC AT LORD’S
Afghanistan’s cricketers will play at Lord’s for the first time in July after being granted a fixture against the MCC. The 50-over match at the fabled home of world cricket was confirmed by the Marylebone Cricket Club on Friday.
“I am thrilled that we will be welcoming Afghanistan to Lord’s this summer,” MCC president Matthew Fleming said. “I have seen first-hand the talent and passion for cricket the nation has, and this fixture can only be a good thing for the ongoing development of Afghan