Clarke fined for 'f****** broken arm' comment

The International Cricket Council have fined Australia captain Michael Clarke for verbally abusing England tail-ender James Anderson during day four of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Brisbane.

The International Cricket Council have fined Australia captain Michael Clarke for verbally abusing England tail-ender James Anderson during day four of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Brisbane.

Australia won the match by 381 runs to take a crucial one-nil lead in the five-match series, but not before Clarke was overheard on a stump microphone, saying Anderson should "get ready for a f****** broken arm".

Clarke was subsequently cited by umpire Kumar Dharmasena and third umpire Marais Erasmus for breaching article 2.1.4 of the ICC code of conduct, which relates to "using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an international match".

Clarke accepted the charges and conceded 20 percent of his match fee.

"Through my career, there has always been banter on the cricket field – and I cop as much as I give, that's for sure," concluded the host captain.

"That's part and parcel of the game, but all the England players know we certainly respect them, and we understand we have to be at our best to beat them.

"I've heard a lot worse said on a cricket field than what the Australia players or the England players said throughout this Test match."

The second Test will get underway at the Adelaide Oval on 5 December. The WACA in Perth, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground will host matches three, four and five respectively.

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