Australia spinner Stephen O’ Keefe charged with $10,000 after hotel incident

CA said O'Keefe will have undergo counselling and education as part of his sanction.

Australia’s spin bowler Stephen O’ Keefe who got injured in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekele has been fined $ 10,000 by Cricket Australia after he was invloved in an incident at a Sydney Hotel on Saturday night. O’ Keefe was issued with an Infringement Notice by NSW Police for his behaviour which was found to be offensive and also being an excluded person remaining in the vicinity of licensed premises after a night at the The Steyne Hotel in Manly. He was also charged for breaching Article 2.2.11. of CA’s Code of Behaviour and accepted his sanctioned fined. CA said O’Keefe will have undergo counselling and education as part of his sanction. It was his first offence under CA’s code of behaviour in the last 18 months as cricket.au.com reported. READ: Australia’s Steve O’Keefe ruled out of Sri Lanka series; Jon Holland named replacement

“I know I failed to uphold the high standards expected of a NSW and Australian cricketer and apologise to all concerned. I take full responsibility for my actions and accept the sanction handed to me by Cricket Australia,” O’Keefe said in a statement.

O Keefe’ was ruled out of the Test series in Sri Lanka after he sustained a hamstring injury. Jon Holland was named as his replacement. “Steve has had a difficult couple of weeks but that is no excuse. We expect a high standard from our players on and off the field and in this case Steve failed to meet those high standards. I have spoken to Steve and he is very disappointed with his behaviour. He has apologised to the management of The Steyne Hotel and accepts that he will be sanctioned,” Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones said.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard added, “We take a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour from players at any level in Australian Cricket. Steve understands our expectations and that we’re extremely disappointed this situation occurred, particularly as he is recovering from an injury.”

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