Sreesanth fined 50% of match fee

Indian pacer Sreesanth has been fined half his match fee after brushing shoulders with batsman Michael Vaughan in a dramatic fourth day at Trent Bridge.

Sreesanth appeared to lose his cool during the day, which included a beamer and an extreme no-ball to the English batsmen. However the match referee drew the line at the ‘shoulder-barging’ with the English captain during his stylish century yesterday.

“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,” said match referee Ranjan Madugalle after the bowler pleaded guilty and was fined half his match fee.

“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 apologised for his actions and I hope he learns from his mistake here.”