Gayle not guilty of Code breach

Chris Gayle of the West Indies has been found not guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test against New Zealand on the first day of play on 9 March in Auckland.

ICC Match Referee Mike Procter found Gayle not guilty of breaching clause 5.1a of the ICC Code at Level 1. Clause 5.1a refers to conduct contrary to the spirit of the game.

The report was made by match officials Darryl Harper, Rudi Koertzen and Gary Baxter. Gayle pleaded not guilty to conduct contrary to the spirit of the game.

The incident in question occurred when briefly after the umpire had made his decision Gayle felt his right arm as, according to the player, he was in pain. Procter accepted Gayle's explanation that his actions were not intended to influence the umpires in any way.

The hearing in Auckland was also attended by West Indies Team Manager Tony Howard, captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul and the match officials.