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James Faulkner admits to drunk-driving offence

James Faulkner accepted Friday he had made an "error of judgement" after being charged with drink-driving.

© Getty Images
‘I can’t excuse my actions and understand that I have let people down’: James Faulkner © Getty Images

Australia all-rounder James Faulkner accepted Friday he had made an “error of judgement” after being charged with drink-driving by Greater Manchester Police while playing for English county side Lancashire. The 25-year-old has been released on bail and now faces a court hearing in Manchester on July 21.

Cricket Australia, who have charged the World Cup winner under its own code of conduct, “returned a blood alcohol reading of approximately twice the UK’s legal limit”.  The first disciplinary action Faulkner has faced is to be dropped from Friday’s Twenty20 Roses clash against Yorkshire. READ: James Faulkner not surprised by Ashes snub but determined to get back into Test squad

“I can’t excuse my actions and understand that I have let people down,” Faulkner said in a Cricket Australia statement. “My decision to drive was an error in judgement. I apologise unreservedly and accept any penalty handed to me by Cricket Australia and the relevant authorities.”

CA performance director Pat Howard said: “It is clear that he made a very poor decision to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking and that decision had potential to cause serious harm to him and others.” READ: James Faulkner signs for Lancashire

It is also clear that he is very disappointed and embarrassed by his actions given his position as a role-model to young people, This is a very real wake-up call for James and all other Australian cricketers around the importance of responsible decision making. I have expressed my extreme disappointment and have informed him of the consequences under English Law and Cricket Australia’s own regulations,” he said.

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