Astle fined; Tickner receives censure

Canterbury bowler Todd Astle has been fined $500 after admitting a breach of clause 2.1 (serious dissent) of the Code of Conduct during his team’s third-round Plunket Shield match against Central Districts in Nelson.

Astle admitted swearing and questioning the decision of umpire Ash Mehrotra and was initially charged with a level 3 breach before it was downgraded to a level 2 by first-class commissioner, Andrew Gilchrist.

Mitigating factors considered in the penalty were Astle’s previously clean first-class disciplinary record; the contrition and remorse shown, and the apology he tendered to the umpires.

Meanwhile, Central Districts paceman Blair Tickner has received a written censure after admitting a level 1 breach (obvious disappointment with an umpire’s decision) during the first-round Plunket Shield match against the Auckland Aces.