SHARMA FINED

India’s Rohit Sharma has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct during his side’s ODI against Sri Lanka in the Commonwealth Bank Series on Tuesday. The punishment was handed down by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees following a hearing that took place in Brisbane after the match was washed out.A Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct carries a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and/or a fine of up to the equivalent of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee.

INDIA DROP CHARGE

The India team manager, Chetan Chauhan, who laid a charge under Level 3 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct against Australia spinner Brad Hogg, has withdrawn the accusation. Hogg was accused of making an offensive remark to India captain Anil Kumble and vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni during India’s second innings of the second Test in Sydney on Sunday 6 January. The penalty for a Level 3 offence is a ban of between two and four Test matches or between four and eight One-Day Internationals.

BUCKNOR REPLACED BY BOWDEN

The International Cricket Council today announced steps aimed at facilitating the smooth running of the remainder of the Test series between Australia and India. It has decided to replace Steve Bucknor with Billy Bowden for the third Test, which is scheduled to start in Perth on 16 January, and to bring in ICC Chief Referee Ranjan Madugalle to assist in ensuring the match is played in the best possible spirit.As such, Bucknor will be replaced by Billy Bowden of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires. Bowden will stand alongside Asad Rauf, also of the Elite Panel, who had always been appointed to this game.

HARBHAJAN BANNED FOR 3 TEST MATCHES

India spinner Harbhajan Singh has been banned for three Tests after being found guilty under Level 3 of the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct following an incident that took place during the second Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The charge was laid by match umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor after the close of play on day three of the match following a complaint they received from the Australia captain Ricky Ponting.He found the case against Harbhajan proved and informed him that he was imposing a ban of three Tests.

HARBHAJAN HEARING DEYALED

The disciplinary hearing of India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has been charged under Level 3 of the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct, has been delayed until the Test in Sydney finishes on Sunday. The India off-spinner was charged on Saturday following an alleged incident that took place during the second Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Mike Procter of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees delayed the hearing on the request of India team manager Chetan Chauhan who requested for more time to prepare for the case.