Botha handed one-match suspension

Johan Botha, the South Australia captain, has been handed one-match suspension for breaching Cricket Australia's code of behaviour in two separate incidents during the Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales.

The umpires reported Botha for using offensive language during the second innings for which he was reprimanded by the match referee. But the match referee proposed a stronger action of two penalty points for the second offence. The umpires had reported Botha for breaching Article 2.2.11 for actions that were contrary to the spirit of the game, harmful to the interests of cricket and for bringing the game into disrepute, specifically repeated inappropriate conduct relating to the condition of the match ball.

Botha pleaded guilty to both charges, but disputed the two penalty points proposed by the match referee. However, after a hearing, the penalty was upheld meaning the player will miss South Australia's away match against Tasmania that starts on March 11.

Botha had lodged an appeal with CA against the penalty but then withdrew it later. He will miss South Australia's next game.