Lee fined for over-appealing

Brett Lee's celebrations came too soon ... and too excessively for the liking of the ICC match referee Jeff Crowe © Getty Images

A "confused" Brett Lee has been fined 25% of his match fee for over-appealing when he was convinced Steve Bucknor had given Kevin Pietersen out caught behind during England's first innings. Lee faced a hearing chaired by Jeff Crowe, the ICC match referee, in Adelaide on Sunday night and was found guilty of celebrating before the decision had been given.

"Brett is confused about this verdict in that he thought he saw the umpire gesture that it was out," Crowe said. "The simple fact is that Brett did not stop and wait for the umpire's actual decision, out or not out, before starting his celebrations."

Bucknor is traditionally slow at giving decisions and Lee sprinted down the pitch to Adam Gilchrist as he appealed in the fourth over of day two. Pietersen was ruled not out by Bucknor and the television replays and technology backed his choice. Crowe said the penalty was consistent with other breaches and the level one offence could not be appealed.