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Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

Darren Lehmann, the Australian allrounder who was accused of a racial slur against the Sri Lankans, has been charged by Malcolm Speed, Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council of breaching a level three code of conduct offence under the game's racial vilification conduct.

Level 3.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Officials is: "Using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin".

If the allrounder is found guilty he can be suspended for up to eight one-day internationals or four Test matches. No financial penalties will be imposed and he could miss part of Australia's World Cup campaign in South Africa beginning early next month.

It was the 'Daily News' that exclusively broke the news about Lehmann's racial outburst in its Edition on Thursday. No Australian newspaper had the story.

The 'Herald Sun' here in Australia quoting the "Daily News" said. "But an outraged Sri Lankan press claimed he got off scott free. Colombo's 'Daily News' reported Lehman as shouting: "You black b......s". While the ICC has wielded the big stick, the Australian Cricket Board after receiving a report from the Australian team management about the incident had expressed its disappointment to Lehmann and ordered immediate counselling for him.

Acting from London, the ICC Chief Executive said he was aware that Lehmann has apologised for his actions and the Sri Lankan team was reluctant to lay any formal charges and accepted the apology unconditionally.

"I have, however, carefully considered the situation and in the interests of eradicating racial vilification in international cricket I am bound to lay these charges", said the ICC CE. This is a sequel to Lehmann losing his cool after being run out for 38 and shouting, "Black b......s" in the changing room which was overheard by Sri Lankan team members in their nearby changing room. Lehmann apologised for the outburst. Clive Lloyd, the former West Indies skipper who is the match referee received a complaint from the Sri Lankans who reprimanded Lehmann.

The "Herald Sun" in an Editorial headlined, "It's Not Cricket" said "In its tenacity to dominate world cricket, our national players have developed a reputation for being belligerent.The one-day and Test teams are known for their persistent sledging, an insulting tactic that is probably becoming ineffective through its tedious regularity. Darren Lehmann has become embroiled in the latest row, making alleged racist remarks towards the Sri Lankans. He has rightly apologised - personally and in writing-but has been let off lightly by the cricketing authorities.

Australia love winners, but surely not when sports stars turn to ugly aggression. Winning with dishonour and arrogance is nothing to be proud of.

The effects of Lehmann's behaviour will not just be a passing hiccup at home. The incident has been reported in Sri Lanka and news will filter through the cricket world in general.For all of the England cricket team's faults this summer, the players have performed with good grace. Should Australia's cricketers encounter a similar bad run of results, one wonders if their attitude would be as stoic".

Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya said he was pleased the matter was resolved and relations between the two teams remained good.

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