Panesar fined for excessive appealing

PORT OF SPAIN // The England spinner Monty Panesar was fined a quarter of his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) today for excessive appealing during the fifth and final Test against the West Indies. The England fast bowler Amjad Khan was reprimanded for the same offence, but teammate Stuart Broad was found not guilty on a charge of making a public criticism of match officials.

"Monty Panesar is a very enthusiastic and exuberant bowler and there is nothing wrong with that, but on this occasion he has gone too far," said Alan Hurst, head of the ICC's elite panel of referees. Panesar made a series of exaggerated appeals during the West Indies' first innings as England struggled to bowl out Chris Gayle's side and was ruled to have breached Level 1.5 of the ICC code of conduct.

"On more than one occasion during the day, he began celebrating a prospective dismissal rather than appealing and waiting for the decision to be made, thereby not showing due respect for the role of the umpire," Hurst said. "He is an experienced player who should know this action is not in the spirit of the game." Khan, making his England debut, was let off with a reprimand. "This is Amjad Khan's first Test match and I am willing to accept that he didn't fully appreciate the importance of adhering to the ICC Code of Conduct," Hurst said.

"In his defence, he apologised for his actions to the on-field umpire immediately after the incident and again at the hearing. It was an isolated incident, but at the same time he has to learn that all players must show due respect for the role of the umpires." Broad was found not guilty because his comments were insubstantial and not directed at any individual. "On the evidence presented, the actions of the player did not breach the ICC Code of Conduct," Hurst said.

"While a comment attributed to Stuart Broad related to match officials and their performance, it was not specific, not perceived as serious in the context of the whole interview quoted and not proven to be an accurate quote." *AP