17 January,2013 08:23 AM IST | | PA Sport
Shane Warne has fallen foul of Cricket Australia for the second time in as many games following the Melbourne Stars' dramatic Big Bash League semi-final defeat in Perth yesterday.
Following what could have been the legendary leg-spinner's final competitive match, Warne was reported by CA after he opted not to name himself as captain on the official team sheet.
James Faulkner, whose final ball no-ball cost the Stars a place in the final, was instead named skipper in a move that would have prevented Warne receiving a ban for slow over rates.The 43-year-old, who only today returned from a one-game suspension following his ugly altercation with Marlon Samuels, instead faces the prospect of a second suspension.
One-match ban?
A CA Statement revealed Warne could be handed a further one-game ban when he fronts a hearing at a date to be confirmed.
"Cricket Australia has today advised that Shane Warne has been reported for breaching CA's code of behaviour in tonight's KFC T20 Big Bash League semi-final between the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers," the statement read.
"Warne is alleged to have breached Rule 5: Laws of Cricket and Spirit of the Game. On 5 December 2012, KFC T20 Big Bash League teams were sent a memo by Cricket Australia.
"Under the heading âOver Rates', the memo stated that âIf a team's official captain is selected but not named as captain, this will be considered against the spirit of cricket and may attract a code of behaviour charge'.
"For tonight's match, James Faulkner was listed on the Melbourne Stars team sheet as captain and took part in the coin toss with Perth Scorchers captain Simon Katich. Warne had previously been issued with one strike for a slow over rate violation, with a second strike this season resulting in an automatic one-match suspension.
"The time and date of the hearing is yet to be determined."
Should Warne be banned it could provide a sour end to a controversial career that saw him take 708 Test wickets, a world record when he retired from international cricket following Australia's Ashes whitewash in 2007.