Anderson fined for clash with Morton

BIRMINGHAM, England (CMC):

RUNAKO MORTON escaped censure, but the England fast bowling pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad were disciplined for separate breaches of the International Cricket Council's (ICC)Code of Conduct during the second one-day international on Wednesday at Edgbaston.

Anderson was found guilty of twice nudging Morton during the West Indies batsman's brief knock during the match that West Indies won by 61 runs to draw level 1-1 in the three-match series. He was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with another player.

"I have no problem with players being aggressive on the field because our game is all about passion and commitment," match referee Procter said in an ICC news release.

"But, at the same time, they have to recognise they are role models watched by people all over the world.

"Cricket is, after all, a non-contact sport and when players fail to recognise that fact and engage in needless nudges, the type of which we saw, then that is where we have to draw the line."

Procter noted that when Morton was dismissed, Anderson ran towards the departing player to start a further confrontation, this time a verbal one.

Morton off the hook

Under such circumstances, Morton was found not guilty of a Level 2 offence, Clause 2.8 of the code, which relates to offensive language or gestures.

"Anderson is not a player with a reputation for bad behaviour and, as he reflects on what happened, and the fine he has incurred, I am sure he will do everything he can to ensure there is no repeat of this unfortunate incident," Procter said.

"I concluded that Morton was the victim of Anderson's aggression rather than guilty of bad behaviour."

Ironically, Broad, whose father Chris, a former England opening batsman, is also an ICC match referee, breached the rules which concern the ICC Logo Policy.

Broad wore a visible white garment under his playing shirt on Wednesday, something not permitted under clothing regulations.

"The regulations regarding clothing are there in black and white and teams are reminded about them on a regular basis," Procter said.

"The potential for problems with players, especially bowlers, wearing visible white garments in a match involving a white ball is obvious and hopefully this sanction against Stuart will serve as a reminder to him not to wear such garments in the future."