Faulkner fined, banned from driving

Australia allrounder James Faulkner has been hit with a £10,000 fine (approx. $A21,000) and banned from driving in the UK for two years after pleading guilty to drink driving in the Manchester Magistrates Court.

Faulkner, man of the match in Australia’s World Cup Final victory over New Zealand last March, was charged by police after being involved in a “minor” traffic accident in Manchester on July 2, where he is currently living as a contracted overseas player for county team Lancashire.

Quick Single: Faulkner charged with drink driving in England

The 25-year-old Tasmanian had been to dinner with a friend – who Cricket Australia have identified as former Test ‘keeper Tim Paine – at Albert’s Restaurant in Manchester and chose to drive the mile to his home because he did not want to walk in heavy rain.

Police attending the accident at West Didsbury, where the Toyota that Faulkner identified himself as driver of had collided with the rear of a BMW, told the court the cricketer “smelt strongly” of intoxicants and a subsequent roadside breath test produced a positive result.

Faulkner was then taken to Longsight police station where he underwent analysis that returned a reading of 100mg per 100ml of breath, almost three times the legal UK limit of 35mg.

The allrounder had last month been banned for three one-day internationals and a T20 international by Cricket Australia for “conduct that is unbecoming of a representative” and was therefore not included in the squad for the limited-overs series that follows the current Ashes tour.

He was also reprimanded for his behaviour by CA, and will undergo an alcohol management counselling program as determined by CA’s Chief Medical Officer as well as pay for any damage to property caused as a result of actions while drunk-driving.

In addition, Faulkner was ordered to pay court costs of £355 (approx. $A750).

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Faulkner celebrates a wicket in the World Cup final // Getty Images

Faulkner, who has played 44 ODIs, 11 T20 internationals and his one and only Test to date on Australia’s previous Ashes tour in 2013, told the court through his lawyer that he was “deeply ashamed” of his actions and offered an unreserved apology for his error in judgement.

In handing down the sentence, District Judge Mark Hadfield told Faulkner: “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."

The judge said he had reached the penalty after ruling out the possibility of imposing an unpaid work community order or a curfew upon Faulkner was "unworkable" because the allrounder’s current contract with Lancashire is due to expire on August 21.

Although, now that his Cricket Australia ban has ruled him out of the upcoming ODI and T20 series in the UK, his stint with Lancashire might be extended to mid-September.

Faulkner’s lawyer Ian Unsworth QC told the court: “Mr Faulkner feels deep shame and remorse about his actions on that night.

"It occurred a very short distance from the restaurant (Albert's Restaurant) that Mr Faulkner had attended with a friend from Tasmania.

"His friend had been in the country.

“He himself (the friend) had cause to celebrate, he had got engaged the week earlier and Mr Faulkner took his friend out.

"He is deeply sorry for what has happened.

"If anything comes out of this case it is clear this was completely out of character and it will not happen again."

Mr Unsworth added his client had "brought shame" upon himself and he was particularly "deeply ashamed" about how his actions may have affected his father Peter, a former cricketer with Tasmania, and his "hard-working, decent family".

Among those who tendered character references to the court that spoke of Faulkner "in glowing terms" was Lancashire's director of cricket and former England Test spinner Ashley Giles, who was present at the hearing.

Outside court, Faulkner's manager Phil Weston read out the following statement on the all-rounder’s behalf.

“My decision to drive that day was wholly my own and clearly it was an error in my judgement,” Weston said.

“I apologise unreservedly for my behaviour but I accept this does not and should not excuse my actions.

“I am deeply embarrassed and sorry.

“I want to reiterate my regret for my actions which I know is not fitting of any member of society and particularly a professional sportsman and public figure such as myself.

“Moving forward I will ensure this remains an isolated bad decision on my part and I am committed to gain any respect back I may have lost as a result."

While Faulkner will not be named in the initial limited-overs due to be announced later this month, he will be considered should one of those players selected be forced out of the series once Faulkner has served his CA suspension.

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