Australian cricketer James Faulkner received a fine of £10,000 and may not drive for two years after admitting to drink-driving charges in the Manchester Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. This follows Cricket Australia’s earlier announcement that Faulkner is also not being considered for the next four tests, costing him the Australian T20 and the ODI squad.
“Faulkner has received four suspension points, which will effectively rule him out of a one-day international against Ireland at the end of next month and then the first three of five against England.
“Given he will be unavailable for a significant component of that series, Faulkner will not be considered for the Australian T20 or ODI squad when it is announced in mid-August,” said Cricket Australia in a media statement following the incident where the 25-year-old, whose blood alcohol level was nearly three times over the legal limit when his Toyota hit the back of a BMW in Manchester last month.
Faulkner had been out at a local restaurant with a friend on 2 July but chose to drive when he did not wish to walk a mile home in heavy rain, Manchester magistrates’ court heard.
“I am sure you accept it was foolhardy in the extreme to get behind the wheel of your vehicle having been out for a meal with your friend,” said sentencing, district judge Mark Hadfield.
The judge said he reached the fine figure after he ruled out an unpaid work community order or a curfew because it was “unworkable” in the defendant’s circumstances.
The all-rounder, who was named man of the match in this year’s World Cup final, is set to leave the UK and return to Australia later this month as his contract with Lancashire expires on 21 August, although the court heard that may be extended to mid-September.
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