Australia Faulkner charged with drink-driving in UK

Australia all-rounder and World Cup winning team member James Faulkner has been charged with drink driving case by the Manchester police during his current period with English county side Lancashire and will face a court hearing in Manchester on July 21 just between the Ashes series.

He was also charged with Cricket Australia code of conduct charge for ‘conduct that is unbecoming of a representative or official and harmful to the interests of cricket’.

Although Faulkner was released on bail, he was arrested due to recording of blood alcohol level of 0.10, which is almost twice the legal limit for driving in England. The incident was occurred on later Thursday night.

According to UK drink driving laws: If the person found guilty then following are the punishments and fine charged on him.

• Could face six months imprisonment
• An unlimited fine
• Ban on his/her driving for at least 1 year (Which can be increased to three years if convicted twice in the space of 10 years).

However Faulkner apologises publically for his shameful incident done last night which caused him in trouble. Faulkner will not be selected for tonight’s upcoming NatWest T20 Blast match against Yorkshire confirmed by Lancashire County Cricket Club.

“I can’t excuse my actions and understand that I have let people down,” he said. “My decision to drive was an error in judgement.

 “I apologise unreservedly and accept any penalty handed to me by Cricket Australia and the relevant authorities.”

Cricket Australia Executive General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard said, “I have made contact with James to understand the facts of the matter. It is clear that he made a very poor decision to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking and that decision had clear potential to cause serious harm to him and others”.

“It is also clear that he is very disappointed and embarrassed by his actions given his position as a role model to young people. This is a very real wake-up call for James and all other Australian cricketers around the importance of responsible decision making”.

“I have expressed my extreme disappointment and have informed him of the consequences under English Law and Cricket Australia’s own regulations.”