MELBOURNE – West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels has been charged with two offences following his ugly clash with Shane Warne during a match between Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars in the Australian Big Bash League last Sunday.
Samuels, who plays for the Melbourne Renegades, has been charged with engaging in inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with another player and unbecoming behaviour.
The second charge breaches Cricket Australia’s Code of Behaviour which states that “players and officials must not at any time engage in behaviour unbecoming to a representative player or official that could (a) bring them or the game of cricket into disrepute or (b) be harmful to the interests of cricket”.
The clash, which happened in phases and which overshadowed the game, involved shirt grabbing, bat and ball throwing as well as the use of expletives.
Cricket Australia confirmed the list of charges yesterday, most of which were slapped on Warne, captain of Melbourne Stars.
Warne was found guilty of three: showing serious dissent at an umpire’s decision; engaging in inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with another player; and using obscene, offensive or generally insulting language to another player.
The spinner was found not guilty of throwing the ball at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner.
Warne has been suspended for one match and was fined $4 500 following the fracas at the MCG, while Cricket Australia is yet to confirm a time for Samuels hearing.
Samuels ended the match with a potentially serious injury to an eye socket after he top-edged a Lasith Malinga delivery through the grille of his helmet.
A suspension may not affect his availability.
The Renegades coach Simon Helmot said Samuels was recovering at the team hotel and would be taking some time off to care for his injury.
“We’re now waiting for the swelling around his eye to subside before determining the full extent of the blow,” Helmot said.
Warne’s suspension means he will miss the Stars’ last qualifying match against the Sydney Thunder today. They desperately need a victory to advance to the semi-finals, and are one of four sides locked on four wins in the middle of the points table.
Renegades secured their semi-final berth even before winning Sunday’s game against the Stars. (CMC)