Bills arrested for drink driving

Nic Bills, the rookie-contracted New South Wales fast bowler, will face further disciplinary action from his state after being arrested on a drink driving charge.

On August 17, a Friday night, Bills gave a blood alcohol reading of 0.062 following a random breath test. The legal limit is 0.05.

Known as the 'Speedblitz Blues', the NSW state team has been sponsored by the transport arm of the state government since the 2002-03 season, charged with raising awareness about the perils of speeding and drink driving.

David Gilbert, the Cricket NSW chief executive, said Bills would face a disciplinary panel after the legal process had run its course.

He also said that the association had spent time working with the government since the incident to send clear messages to the public about road safety. Records show that males aged between 17 and 39 comprise 64% of drink-drivers involved in fatal accidents.

"The matter will be subject to the legal process after which Nic Bills will face a Cricket NSW disciplinary panel to determine his penalty," Gilbert said. "Nic has expressed deep remorse for his actions.

"Cricket NSW's decade-long delivery of the NSW Government's road safety initiatives has been highly successful. However this is an extremely disappointing incident and serves as a strong reminder that drivers must think ahead and plan how they will get home if they are going to have a drink."

Bills has played one Sheffield Shield match for the Blues, in March 2011. He was a part of the inaugural Sydney Thunder squad in last summer's Big Bash League and played one game.