Adams ban increased to one month

Andre Adams, the Auckland allrounder, has had his one-match suspension for assaulting an opposition player upgraded to one month. Auckland's State Championship season is over but the decision means Adams will miss the chance to play club cricket for the next two weekends.

Adams was originally banned for one game after he grabbed the helmet of Bevan Griggs, the Central Districts batsman, and shook the grill, cutting Griggs' lip. New Zealand Cricket appealed the ban, regarding the penalty as too light for what it considered a very serious breach of the Code of Conduct.

Nicholas Davidson, the National Commissioner, upheld the appeal and banned Adams until March 31. However, he said should Adams be called into the New Zealand World Cup squad to play before the end of March, the decision could be reviewed as the punishment might then be considered too harsh.

Adams did not deny the assault and conceded his actions deserved a suspension. Griggs said he was prepared to see the matter resolved "by a handshake".