Cricketer gets a lesson on boundaries

Daryl Tuffey

New Zealand Cricket's contractual rights were underlined in red ink yesterday after pace bowler Daryl Tuffey was fined $1000 for off-field misconduct.

The Hamilton-based Black Cap received the penalty after an investigation conducted by Hugh Rennie, QC, found that he had overstepped the mark during an incident in Christchurch this summer.

Tuffey had earlier admitted to the inquiry that, during a brief involvement with a woman that included conduct of a sexual nature, he allowed himself to be video-taped, and did nothing to recover the recording, or prevent it from being shown.

The inquiry apparently dates back to November, when two male English backpackers made a 20-30sec recording of Tuffey's antics with the as-yet-unidentified local woman, and later paraded the results at several Christchurch locations.

NZ Cricket chief Martin Snedden said yesterday that the findings demonstrated his organisation were within their rights to insist on an appropriate standard of behaviour for contracted players, on and off the field.

"We pay these guys a lot of money, not only for playing cricket but also for a range of off-field activities including promoting the game, and the job comes with contractual responsibilities.

"Probably the biggest point - and Mr Rennie confirms this - is that Tuffey was videoed, he knew he was being videoed, yet he did nothing about it and waited some time before he did."

Among other things, Tuffey's contract contained specific restrictions on what he could, or could not do, and also required him to not act contrary to the interests of NZ Cricket.

As well as their on-field tasks, contracted players were likely to be involved in a range of initiatives, including promotional work, training, commercial ventures, and participation in media activities.

Mr Rennie said in terms of NZ Cricket-contracted players, conduct off the field could be as significant, or even more significant, than on-field conduct.

"It is important that it is clear that conduct off the field which is serious may lead to termination," he said.

However, in this case termination was not required, a warning was unnecessary, and adequate counselling and support would be provided.

"While it may be said that the publicity carries its own penalty, I consider a financial penalty the only effective way of condemning the serious misconduct ... ", said Mr Rennie.

Tuffey's spokesman and New Zealand Players Association boss Heath Mills said yesterday that the inquiry had been conducted in a fair and reasonable way, and that the findings and $1000 penalty would be accepted.

"Daryl acknowledges he was clearly in the wrong place at the wrong time and it was an error of judgment on his part," said Mills.

"He now just wants to focus on returning to the cricket field and playing for New Zealand - he's passionate about playing for his country, and now looks forward to fighting his way back into the Black Caps."

Tuffey will return to action for Northern Districts in a State Championship match against Canterbury in Christchurch on Friday.