Sreesanth fined for shouldering Vaughan

London, July 31 (UNI) Shouldering England skipper Michael Vaughan cost S Sreesanth dear and the Kerala paceman was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during second Test at Trent Bridge.

Sreesanth plead guilty to a Level 2 offence in a hearing convened by Emirates Elite Panel ICC Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle after play concluded in Nottingham yesterday.

The player accepted he breached clause 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to ''inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play.'' Sreesanth shouldered Vaughan during the first session of play on the fourth day.

Explaining his decision, Mr Madugalle said: ''Cricket is a non-contact sport and any deviation from that fact is completely unacceptable, a point I made to Sreesanth in handing down my verdict.

''I have no problem with players being combative on the field but there is a line they cannot cross and Sreesanth crossed that line when he barged past Michael Vaughan, a collision he had every opportunity to avoid.

''I am pleased that Sreesanth accepted he was in the wrong by pleading guilty and that he apologized for his actions and I hope he learns from his mistake here,'' he added.

UNI