Melbourne Stars captain Shane Warne was fined $5000 on Monday for breaching the spirit of cricket – then immediately claimed it wasn’t his fault.
And in an ugly end to what’s likely to be his final BBL season, Warne hit out at Cricket Australia (CA) for the second time this month and said he was disappointed with their decision.
A disciplinary hearing found the legspin great should be fined for naming teammate James Faulkner as the Stars’ official captain for their semi-final defeat by Perth Scorchers at the WACA on January 16.
Warne was under threat of suspension if he allowed another slow over rate as captain and wanted to guard against missing the final, had his team won.
This was deemed “against the spirit of cricket” by CA which had had issued all BBL teams with a memo last month stating: “If a team’s official captain is selected but not named as captain this … may attract a code of behaviour charge.”
Warne said the team’s management was at fault, not him.
“I had know idea about the rule/law…,” Warne said on Twitter.
“If I was aware of the law/rule I would have tossed the coin, I should have been informed & made aware by management
“Anyway, Disappointed it was not a stars fine rather than me as I was never informed as I said… Glad u all understand now !! Enjoy”
The 43-year-old Warne did not attend CA’s Melbourne headquarters for the teleconference hearing which convened in Perth.
He was represented by Melbourne Stars team manager Ben Robertson and CEO Clint Cooper who said later: “The Melbourne Stars and Shane Warne have accepted the fine.
“We equally shoulder the responsibility of the breach given the miscommunication between team management and Shane Warne; key parties involved in the incident were unaware of the memo.”
The veteran bowler claimed only four wickets at an average of 39.75 this season but was frequently in the headlines for less savoury reasons.
He was suspended for one match after a shirt-grabbing incident with Melbourne Renegades batsman Marlon Samuels on January 6, during which a miked-up Warne said to Samuels “F**k you, Marlon!”.
Warne was also fined $4500 after being found guilty on three of four charges stemming from the derby clash.
At a separate hearing on Monday, Samuels was found guilty of unbecoming behaviour in relation to the shirt incident but only received an official reprimand from CA as it was acknowledged that “the player’s conduct resulted from extreme provocation”.
The other charge against Samuels of engaging in inappropriate and deliberate physical contact, relating to the Jamaican grabbing the shirt of David Hussey as he turned for a second run, was dismissed.
Samuels’ hearing was delayed because of a facial injury suffered only a few overs after the clash with Warne when he was hit by a Lasith Malinga bouncer.
Adelaide Strikers coach Darren Berry also faced a charge of unbecoming behaviour following a verbal exchange with Samuels during the warm-up of another BBL match, but he escaped any punishment.
jameswm
Guest
Racism blah blah blah
MrKistic
Guest
He didn't know about the rule, but still thought it was perfectly acceptable to lie about who was actually captaining the team on the night. Sure Warnie, you're totally in the clear there. As a default Stars supporter (by means of being an MCC member and damn it I am *not* going to watch cricket at the docklands), with Warne's behaviour this year and having people like Eddie McGuire involved, it's hard to like that much about the Stars. At least the team was mostly Victorians this year, in fact there are plenty of blokes in the team I'd support. Just like I used to when they were Victoria...
turbodewd
Guest
The BBL is also doing itself no favors by avoiding large markets like Canberra, Newcastle, GC and NZ. Im not sure why little ol' Hobart deserves a team OR why Melb and Syd deserve 2 teams. The ABL (baseball) Canberra Cavalry is really on the up in Canberra (where Im from) and good luck to them, I might go watch a game. Cricket is a great sport, but if CA think its wise to ignore medium sized cities then they are fools.
Arvind
Guest
Turbodewd: Totally agree with your comments. This is one of the reasons cricket is losing mainstream appeal!
Bearfax
Guest
$5000. That must have really hurt him. there goes that trinket he was about to buy for Liz
turbodewd
Guest
Ahh, White Teeth Warnie...what a shocker. The Boorish Bogan League and its complete lack of mateship strikes again. The treatment of Marlon Samuels was pure racism - start to finish. Noone came to defend their teammate, Samuels, or check how he was after the ball to the face. In the shadow of upcoming Australia Day I hereby send a green and gold sledge to CA and the BBL for a COMPLETE lack of mateship by players and admins.