Former Australia all-rounder and Melbourne Stars coach David Hussey has been fined $2000 by Cricket Australia for a code of conduct breach that was deemed to have been contrary to the spirit of cricket. Hussey joked in a television interview during the ninth over of Wednesday's Big Bash clash against Adelaide Strikers that he had worn spiked footwear on the pitch before the match.
According to cricket laws prior to the start of the play, only the captain and team coach may walk on the pitch to assess its conditions. Spiked footwear is not permitted at this time. However, while Hussey had not worn spiked shoes and was found not guilty by independent code-of-conduct commissioner Adrain Anderson for attempting to gain unfair advantage, he accepted that his comments had not been in the spirit of the game. Meanwhile, Hussey apologized for his comments.
"I would like to apologize for my comments made at our match against the Strikers on Wednesday. These comments were made in jest and in a light-hearted moment with the commentators," he said. "I never intended to suggest that I had in any way broken the rules of the game. I realize that my comments, broadcast to our fans and supporters, may have undermined the spirit of cricket and for this I apologize."
