Scotland's Omer Hussain officially reprimanded for breach of ICC Code of Conduct

Scotland player Omer Hussain has been officially reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's ODI against Bermuda in the ICC World Cricket League Division 1 in Nairobi today (Monday).

At a hearing that took place following the conclusion of the match, tournament referee Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees found that Hussain had committed a Level 1 offence by breaching clause 1.3 of the Code.

The clause refers to "showing dissent at an umpire's decision," and the offence occurred after Hussain was given out LBW. When the umpire raised his finger the player appeared to gesture with both hands, indicating his unhappiness with the decision.

Hussain pleaded guilty to the charge and apologized for his actions at the hearing attended by the two on-field umpires who brought the charge - Nadir Shah and Shahul Hameed - Scotland's manager Richard Auchinleck and captain Craig Wright, as well as the ICC match referee.

Explaining the decision, Mr Mahanama said: "Although the player had a previously clean disciplinary record in ICC events, pleaded guilty and showed remorse for what happened, it was still important he - and everyone who witnessed the incident - understands that what happened was not and is not acceptable.

"Mr Hussain is a young player with potentially a long time in the game at a high level but he will find that if he acts in this way in future then some of that time will be spent in disciplinary hearings.

"The bottom line is that the umpire's decision is final and has to be accepted without question - that is one of the pillars of our sport.

"With the game set for a period of intense scrutiny during the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup this reprimand is a timely reminder of that fact," he added.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and/or a fine of up to the equivalent of 50 per cent of a player's match fee.

With all Level 1 offences the player does not have a right of appeal and the ICC match referee's decision is final and binding.