Cricket: Lehmann a hypocrite for Broad rant - Chappell

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has accused coach Darren Lehmann of hypocrisy after he labelled Stuart Broad a cheat for his failure to walk during the first Ashes test at Trent Bridge.

Lehmann was fined 20 per cent of his match fee on Thursday by match referee Roshan Mahanama following his comments in an interview with a radio station on the eve of the fifth test at The Oval.

Looking ahead to the return five-match series that begins in Brisbane in November, the former Yorkshire batsman encouraged the Australian public to give it to him right from the word go "and I hope he cries and he goes home" after Broad's decision not to walk when a thick edge deflected off wicketkeeper Brad Haddin's gloves to slip.

But Chappell - who captained his country from 1971-75 - believes Australians are in no position to complain about opponents who don't walk given their track record over the years.

"I don't like to be called a cheat and basically he is calling all people who don't walk a cheat, which would include himself," Chappell said.

"Cheat is not a word you should use light-heartedly and, even if you are being light-hearted, that's a word you should steer away from. And even when you've got your tongue in your cheek it's pretty hypocritical for an Australian to complain about somebody not walking," he added.

England did not initiate any disciplinary proceedings but the International Cricket Council's chief executive Dave Richardson laid the charge and Lehmann pleaded guilty to publicly criticising and making inappropriate comments about Broad, having transgressed the governing body's code of conduct.

Former South Africa wicketkeeper Richardson, in an ICC statement issued two days ago, said: "While noting the context and nature of the comments made, showing mutual respect for one's fellow professionals - including for coaches, players and match officials - is a cornerstone of how we play the game."

Lehmann's comments were deemed to be level one offences under ICC rules, meaning that a fine of up to 50 per cent of his match fee could have been imposed. A level two offence, defined as being a serious criticism or inappropriate comments, could have seen Lehmann suspended from a test match.

Lehmann was brought in to replace Mickey Arthur just 16 days before the start of the Ashes series after several cases of indiscipline, culminating in David Warner's clash with Joe Root at a Birmingham bar.

He has attempted to foster a more inclusive atmosphere around the team by allowing players' families to join up with the tour sooner than originally planned and has been praised back home for his efforts, despite the disappointing result of this series.

Lehmann has been given a two-year contract that expires after the end of the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

- Independent