Lehmann charged under ICC's Code of Conduct

Australian batsman Darren Lehmann faces suspension from the national team after he was charged under the International Cricket Council's Code of Conduct. It follows a verbal outburst during yesterday's triangular series match against Sri Lanka at Brisbane.

The incident followed Lehmann's return to the dressing room after he was run out at the end of a match-winning 72-run stand with Michael Bevan. The Sri Lankan team and management heard the outburst in their dressing room and lodged an official complaint with match referee Clive Lloyd.

Lehmann immediately sent a letter of apology, and received a severe reprimand from Lloyd after the Sri Lanka team management appealed for leniency. The Code of Conduct charge has been laid by the ICC's chief executive, Malcolm Speed.

"As a result of an overnight investigation and on the basis of reports received from Australia I have decided to charge Darren Lehmann with a breach of Level 3.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct," Speed said.

"I am aware that Mr Lehmann has apologised for his actions and that the Sri Lanka team was reluctant to lay any formal charges. I have, however, carefully considered the situation and in the interests of eradicating racial vilification in international cricket I am bound to lay this charge."

If found guilty, Lehmann could be suspended for up to eight matches, so he may miss the start of next month's World Cup in southern Africa.

Level 3.4 of the ICC Code reads: "Using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin."

Sri Lanka team manager Ajit Jayasekera said: "It just happened on the spur of the moment and he apologised. As far as we are concerned, the matter is closed."

Australian Cricket Board chief executive James Sutherland said: "I have expressed to Darren the ACB's disappointment in the incident and organised immediate counselling for him.

"It is clear that he has acted in an undesirable manner and steps will be taken to see that behaviour such as this is not repeated."

"I just said something I shouldn't have," Lehmann told reporters at Adelaide airport. "I apologised to the Sri Lankan team on their way off, it was in the dressing room, the heat of the moment and out of frustration."