DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 24 (Reuters) Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has been fined 60 percent of the m

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DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 24 (Reuters) Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has been fined 60 percent of the match fees he will earn during the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said today.

The fine, which could see Boucher docked up to $3,500, was punishment for his speaking out on the omission of all-rounder Jacques Kallis from South Africa's squad for the tournament in the country from September. 11 to 24.

''He's the best all-rounder we've ever had and he's saved more games than anyone realises - and he is a far better one-day player than he is given credit for,'' Boucher was quoted as saying in Business Day on August. 15.

''It is either those who have an issue with him, and have a chip on their shoulders, or those who have ulterior motives.'' Boucher's comments were deemed to have contravened several clauses of CSA's code of conduct, including those dealing with bringing the game into disrepute, and he was summoned to a disciplinary hearing on August. 17.

''Senior players have a responsibility to CSA and to cricket in general,'' a media statement today quoted CSA disciplinary commissioner Michael Kuper as saying.

''Their responsibilities are set forth in the code and in their contracts and one is entitled to expect punctilious performance of their obligations.

''In the present case the comments to the media were calculated in their effect to embarrass CSA and to denigrate the T20 (Twenty20).'' The statement added that CSA had argued at the hearing that Boucher should be banned from playing in the tournament.

Boucher has until 2000 hrs ist tomorrow to lodge an appeal.

REUTERS TB RK2010