Venkatesh Prasad fined for pumped-up celebration

Indian seam bowler Venkatesh Prasad was on Monday fined 35 percent of his match fees for his pumped up celebration after he had dismissed Australian opening batsman Michael Slater on the second day of the second Test at Melbourne.

Slater, on 91, hooked a short ball from Prasad high to deep square leg where Javagal Srinath brought off the catch. Celebrating the dismissal, Prasad, 30, pumped his fists vigorously in the batsman's direction. Slater continued his walk back to the pavilion and at the end of the over, umpire David Shepherd of England spoke to Prasad and then lodged a complaint with Sri Lankan match referee Ranjan Madugalle.

Prasad and Indian coach Kapil Dev were summoned for a hearing after the day's play by Madugalle and then fined 1000 US dollars - 35 percent of his fees. The Indian seam bowler also faces a ban for one Test match or two one day internationals if he misbehaves again in the next four months.

A release from the International Cricket Council said Prasad had breached point two of the code of conduct, which states: ``Players shall at no time engage in conduct unbecoming of their status which could bring them or the game of cricket into disrepute.''

The hearing, conducted by Madugalle, was attended by umpires Shepherd and Steve Davis, the Indian team management and Prasad.