Lehmann pays for Broad comment

Australia coach Darren Lehmann's controversial comments about England bowler Stuart Broad have cost him 20 per cent of his match fee for the fifth Ashes Test.

Lehmann gave a colourful radio interview on the eve of the game, during which he described Broad's refusal to walk after an edge in the series opener as "blatant cheating".

Lehmann also called on the Australian public to "get stuck into him" when England tour this winter, adding that he hoped the seamer "cries and goes home".

England were not moved to report the incident to the International Cricket Council, but International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson laid a charge himself and Lehmann pleaded guilty to "publicly criticising and making inappropriate comments" about Broad, falling foul of Article 2.1.7 in the governing body's code of conduct.

He accepted match referee Roshan Mahanama's proposal of a 20 per cent fine - around £2,000 - meaning no formal hearing was necessary.

Richardson said: "Whilst noting the context and nature of the comments made, showing mutual respect for one's fellow professionals - including for coaches, players and match officials - is a cornerstone of how we play the game."

Lehmann can perhaps consider himself fortunate not to have been hit with a heftier sanction.

Level one offences can also lead to official ICC reprimands, while the fine can go as high as 50 per cent of the applicable match fee.

Had he been charged with a level two offence, defined simply as being a "serious" criticism or inappropriate comments, the maximum penalty would have been suspension from a Test match.