England bowler, Sophie Ecclestone has been given a warning for breaching level one of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first ODI against New Zealand in Durham on 26 June.

Ecclestone was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate and or dangerous manner during an international match.”

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Ecclestone’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the second offence in a 24-month period, taking her cumulative demerit points to two.

The incident occurred in the 15^th over of New Zealand’s innings, when Ecclestone picked up the ball after it was hit towards her and proceeded to throw it towards the batter who had to duck out of the way to avoid being struck.

Ecclestone admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee, Phil Whitticase of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Anna Harris and Rob White, third umpire Russell Warren, and fourth official Jasmine Naeem levelled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

*When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned

**Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player

***Demerit Points to remain on a Player or Player Support Personnel’s disciplinary record for a period of twenty-four (24) months from their imposition following which they will be expunged