Tino Best fined 50 per cent of match fee

West Indies fast bowler Tino Best has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's second Test match against Sri Lanka.

Best was found guilty of conduct contrary to the spirit of cricket by ICC Match Referee Mike Procter in a hearing today in Kandy. Best was found to have breached C1 at Level 1 of the ICC Code which relates to ensuring that play is conducted 'within the spirit of the game'. In this particular instance the offence related to the bowling of fast high full-pitched deliveries.

Best was suspended from bowling in the second innings of the match after bowling two such deliveries. He was also warned in the first innings for bowling one fast high full-pitched delivery.

"Players need to be careful that they do not bowl in this manner. It has no place within the laws or spirit of the game," said Mr Procter. All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee.

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Simon Taufel and Tony Hill, TV umpire Tyrone Wijewardene and fourth umpire Gamini Silva. Procter reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by the umpires, Mr Best and West Indies team manager Tony Howard. For Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.

(ICC media release)