Cricket: Styris cops playing ban

By RICHARD BOOCK

New Zealand and Northern Districts allrounder Scott Styris has been suspended for two playing days after an unsavoury incident involving umpire Doug Cowie in Friday's Shell Cup cricket semifinal at Eden Park.

New Zealand Cricket is yet to release the findings from a post-match code of conduct hearing, but the Herald understands Styris was given two days to cool his heels and did not seek leave to appeal against the decision.

The trouble arose in the 13th over of Auckland's eventually successful chase after Northern's 150, when batsman John Aiken lost control of an attempted hook shot off Styris and - to the bowler's delight - lobbed an easy catch to square-leg.

However delight quickly turned to outrage when umpire Cowie ruled the delivery a no-ball because of height, leaving Styris remonstrating with the umpire then, and at the end of the over.

The 24-year-old, who is expected to retain his place in New Zealand's one-day side for the looming series against Australia, will apparently end his suspension period today after being left out of the Thames Valley side for their two-day match against Counties at Pukekohe.

The suspension follows hard on the heels of another code-of-conduct hearing last week, when Wellington players Richard Petrie and Chris Nevin were censured for badgering an umpire to seek video assistance over a dismissal.

New Zealand play the first of their six one-day internationals against Australia in Wellington on February 16.