Warne punished for dissent

LONDON, May 29 (Reuters) Shane Warne was given six penalty points by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today for abusing an umpire after being given out LBW playing for Hampshire in a county match last week.

Warne was reported by umpires Tim Robinson and Barrie Leadbeater for two separate Level 2 breaches of the ECB's discipline code - showing serious dissent at an umpire's decision by word or action and using language or gesture that is obscene or of a serious insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or spectator.

The Australian leg spinner, who retired from test cricket in January, made it clear to Robinson that he was unhappy with the LBW decision in the drawn match against Kent at Canterbury and uttered ''audible obscenity'' as he approached the pavilion.

The six-point penalty remains on Warne's record for two years, during which time a further three-point penalty would earn an automatic suspension.

REUTERS BJR KN2112