Prior reprimanded by ICC for smashed window

Matt Prior has received an ICC reprimand after accidently smashing a window in the Lord's changing room on the final day of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

The incident occurred after Prior was run out for 4 in England's search for quick runs before a declaration. When he returned to the dressing room a piece of equipment, first thought to be a glove but then discovered to be a bat, bounced up and smashed a pane of glass with the shards falling onto MCC members below and cutting the ankle of a lady in the pavilion.

Prior, accompanied by England captain Andrew Strauss, went and apologised to the members before England took the field and the ECB considered the mattered closed with no further action set to be taken. However, the incident was reported to Javagal Srinath, the ICC match referee, by the on-field umpires Billy Doctrove and Rod Tucker as well as third umpire Aleem Dar and fourth official Richard Illingworth.

Prior was charged with a Level 1 offence having breached clause 2.1.2 of the code of conduct which relates to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match". Unsurprisingly, Prior didn't contest the charge.

"Matt knows that his action was in breach of the code and he should be more careful in future," Srinath said. "That said, it was clear that the damage he caused was purely accidental and without malice. It's also noted that he apologised to the ground authority for the incident."

Prior could have been hit with fine of up to 50% of his match fee but the incident won't leave him out of pocket. It's the same punishment that Ricky Ponting received after damaging a TV in the dressing during the World Cup match against Zimbabwe, in Ahmedabad, after he too had been run out.