Faulkner set for ban after drink-driving

James Faulkner could be banned from Australia’s one-day series against England as a result of a drink-driving charge.

Faulkner returned a reading of 100 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath on Thursday night, almost three times the UK’s legal limit of 35mg.

The allrounder, a star of Australia’s World Cup triumph earlier this year, was detained overnight then released on bail and will face court in Manchester on July 21.

Faulkner is playing for English club Lancashire and had been drinking with fellow Tasmanian Tim Paine.

The incident happened the night before Faulkner was due to play a Twenty20 fixture.

Lancashire stood him down from Friday night’s clash with Yorkshire.

Faulkner faces further punishment as per Cricket Australia’s code of behaviour.

“He’s got a code of behaviour hearing and that deals with criminal offences,” CA’s general manger of team performance Pat Howard said.

“It’s either a level two or level three offence.

“Anywhere between … (a ban of) two and eight games.

“They’ll have a good look at it and make a final decision.”

Howard added that if Faulkner is “only available for part of the tour or something like that, we might just say – sorry you’re off the tour”.

“You can’t cop this. He knows that.”

Barring injury, Faulkner was not going to play any part in the Ashes.

Shane Watson and Mitch Marsh were preferred in the 17-man squad.

Australia face England in a five-game ODI series after the five Tests, when Faulkner would have been among the first picked in the XI.

The 25-year-old said in statement he had “let people down”.

“I can’t excuse my actions,” Faulkner said.

“My decision to drive was an error in judgment.

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

Howard discussed the issue with some members of Australia’s Ashes squad on Friday.

“The couple of blokes I’ve spoken to completely understand it, there are consequences for actions,” he said.

“He’s had a very good record, but he’s made a very big mistake here.

“We’re working on it together. I’m really disappointed.”

Faulkner suffered a side strain in February and was in doubt for the World Cup.

But he returned during the group stage and snared three wickets in the final to earn man-of-the-match honours.

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