O'Keefe fined
Australian Test star Stephen O'Keefe has been fined Aus$20,000 (US$15,000) for making "highly inappropriate" comments while drunk during a cricket function and ordered to undergo counselling, authorities said Friday.
The spinner, one of the best bowlers during Australia's recent four-Test series in India, was also banned from playing in the Australian one-day domestic competition this year.
It is the second time the 32-year-old has been in alcohol-fuelled trouble, after being fined last year for offensive conduct at a Sydney hotel.
"There is no time or place for unacceptable behaviour from any of our players in Australian cricket, and we continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to this," said Cricket Australia team performance general manager Pat Howard.
"We're extremely disappointed this situation occurred, particularly on the back of a previous incident, and it now overshadows Stephen's on field performance on the recent tour of India."
O'Keefe said he accepted the fine and would undergo "specialist counselling" as demanded.
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