THE India opener Gautam Gambhir has received a one-match suspension after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his double-hundred in the third Test against Australia in New Delhi. He is to appeal against the decisiion.

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The sentence meant Gambhir would miss the final Test in Nagpur, which starts on Nov 6. The Australian seam-bowler Shane Watson had already been fined for verbal abuse that preceded a shoulder-nudging incident with the batsman, but Gambhir's hearing was postponed to allow the match referee Chris Broad to review the evidence.

The player had pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule C1 of the Code (Level 2) which states that players shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game. Explaining the suspension decision, Broad said: "The decision to find Gambhir guilty of a level 2 offence is indicative of the fact that any degree of physical contact is unacceptable.

"Had Gambhir been charged with and found guilty of a charge under 2.4, due to his previous offence, I would have been obliged to impose a minimum penalty of a two-Test match ban. In the view of the umpires, the facts of this case - the lightness of the physical conduct and the element of provocation - would not justify such a penalty.

"The umpires accordingly had regard to the notes of the ICC Code of Conduct which provides for a player to be charged under Rule C1 if the circumstances of the alleged incident are not adequately covered by the listed offences.

"Whilst I concur with this view, the ICC has repeatedly told the players that deliberate physical contact between players will not be tolerated. I have also taken into account the previous offences of Gambhir and therefore, I am satisfied that the penalty imposed is an appropriate outcome in the circumstances of this matter. I hope Mr Gambhir will learn from this," Broad said.

CHARLIE SAYS: Australian abuse could reach its climax in England next summer when they see the Ashes slipping away from their grasp.