Steve O’Keefe handed $10,000 fine by Cricket Australia

Steve O’Keefe, the Australian spinner, has been sanctioned with a $10,000 fine by Cricket Australia (CA) after he was involved in an incident at a Sydney hotel on Saturday (August 6) night.

The New South Wales (NSW) player was charged for breaking Level 2 offence under CA’s Code of Behaviour. He was also issued an Infringement Notice by NSW Police for offensive behaviour and being an excluded person remaining in the vicinity of licensed premises after a night at The Steyne Hotel in the beachside suburb of Manly.

O’Keefe was part of the Australian squad currently touring Sri Lanka. The tweaker injured his hamstring during the second innings of the first Test and was ruled out of the game, and eventually the remainder of the series.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and accept the sanction handed to me by Cricket Australia.”

Pat Howard, CA’s Executive General Manager of Team Performance, added: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour from players at any level in Australian Cricket.

“Steve understands our expectations and that we’re extremely disappointed this situation occurred, particularly as he is recovering from an injury.”