Breaking News - Afridi banned for 1 Test and 2 ODIs

[Maranello]

Glad to see he is contrite and pleaded guilty to the level 3 offence:

Originally Posted by the Match Referee

Mr Afridi apologised for his conduct and said he was very disappointed with himself for acting in that way

[rineet]

He deserves this ban, if not more! Absolutely shocking to see him scruffing the pitch..Disgraceful it was..

[Andy Mellon]

Well, I really do hope they've given him a very stern warning that any other 'Grade 3 violations' will result in a much harsher punishment. All this seems to do is rule him out from the rest of this England tour. For blatent - now admitted cheating, I think a slightly harsher punishment may have been in order - but I would be satisified with this punishment as long as he's on a warning that next time, its 6 months or more. I would like to think that his admission made a difference, but when you've been caught clear as day breaking the Laws on television, you have no option to admit it.

Sigh. This all leaves a rather bitter taste in the mouth. Hopefully the rest of this match will be incident free.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

I think a slightly harsher punishment may have been in order

Only if the various (comparatively minor) infractions of the spirit of cricket by the England players received some form of reprimand (eg a minor fine or a stern talking to) - however, when all the England and Australian players routinely get away scot-free, it would be wrong to throw the book (yet again!) at the poor lone South Asian! Yes Afridi deserves a punishment, but that punishment could only be six months or similar if, for instance, Harmison and Flintoff were banned from the next game for deliberately trying to injure the opposition batsmen - both suggestions, in my view, would be equally ludicrous.

I know you did not suggest six months in this instance Andy, but I am merely using that number as an example to clarify my view that the current penalty is appropriate, given the circumstances. It would, of course, be completely injudicious if the likes of Bell and Harmison received hefty fines or a small ban now, given that Afridi has not received a very long ban. Those two should merely be talked to and told to clean up their act.

Of course, any repeat offence by Afridi should be dealth with very severely indeed, and I am sure the provisions of the rules do stipulate that - there should be no sympathy for one who makes a habit out of this sort of thing.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

. All this seems to do is rule him out from the rest of this England tour.

Part of it, as he can still play the other three ODIs.

[greg]

I think the ban is long enough.It has been dealt with a lot quicker than i thought it would be and i congratulate the match referee for that.I hope he learns from this stupid mistake and that nothing like this ever happens again.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by greg

It has been dealt with a lot quicker than i thought it would be

Yes that has been about the only positive in this whole affair - the prompt punishment and the apology from the culprit!

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

Afridi has 24 hours to lodge an appeal should he so wish.

Frankly, I would be disgusted if he even thinks about appealing! And if he does (as let's face it, he does not seem to be the brightest tool in the box) then the PCB and Inzamam should reprimand him severely - an appeal would make a joke of the whole game of cricket, and of the Pakistani nation.

[Occasional Fan]

Yes, but as you know from our previous discussions on the matter, IMO the right to make an appeal is absolutely fundamental to the credibility of a self-administered disciplinary process. I imagine this issue is closed, and, like you, I hope so.

[Paoli]

Good. He bloody well deserves it. Bringing the game into disrepute. I remember Rach said soccer players should be given a three match ban for calling the ball as theirs when they kick it over the touchline. If that is so, Afridi shouldn't be banned only for this life, but for the next.

Good move from the ICC. I have to say, as crap as they are with administrational matters, they normally hit the on field matters for six (pardon the pun) quite cleanly...over within 24 hours, and a fair punishment.