McCullum fined 20 per cent of match fee for Code of Conduct breach

New Zealand's Brendon McCullum has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's ICC Cricket World Cup match against Sri Lanka in St George's, Grenada yesterday.

McCullum was found guilty of dissent by ICC Match Referee Mike Procter in a hearing held after Sri Lanka's six-wicket victory over New Zealand on Thursday.

McCullum was found to have breached 1.3 of the ICC Code which relates to "Showing dissent at an umpire's decision."

The offence related to the player's reaction when he was given out lbw by umpire Asad Rauf.

McCullum pleaded guilty to the charge and apologized to the umpires in the hearing.

Explaining the decision, Mr Procter said: "There is a thin line between disappointment and dissent and Brendon crossed that line. His reaction was unacceptable but, to his credit, he acknowledged that fact at the hearing and apologized for his conduct.

"We must all be conscious of the fact that this is the biggest tournament in the game with a huge audience and so every player and official must adopt the highest standards of behaviour at all times."

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee.

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Asad Rauf and Billy Doctrove, third umpire Aleem Dar and fourth umpire Mark Benson. Mr Procter reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by the match officials, the player, New Zealand team manager Lindsay Crocker and coach John Bracewell.

For Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.

The full ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Officials can be found here: