15 March 2008

New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram was fined 20 percent of his match fee after being found guilty of dissent during the second test against England, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Saturday.

Oram pleaded guilty to the offence after being charged for showing "serious dissent at an umpire's decision" when he was given out lbw by umpire Steve Davis off the bowling of paceman Ryan Sidebottom.

The ICC said Oram openly showed dissent at the decision by looking at his bat then punching it.

Oram apologised to the umpires and ICC match referee Javagal Srinath agreed to reduce the level of the charge from serious dissent to dissent.

"I took into account several factors in downgrading the charge including the player's previously excellent conduct, his apology at the hearing, the fact it was a spontaneous act out of character with his normal behaviour and he did not appear to use foul or offensive language," Srinath said in a statement released by the ICC after Saturday's hearing.

"However, the fact remains that when the umpire raises his finger a player must leave the crease immediately and without question no matter what he may think of the decision."

© Reuters 2008

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