WELLINGTON, Dec 26: New Zealand all-rounder Dion Nash has lost his appeal against a three-match suspension for

verbal abuse, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced Wednesday.

Nash was suspended for abusing an opposing player and an umpire in a provincial match while playing for Auckland against Otago.

His appeal was dismissed by NZC’s national commissioner Nick Davidson and he also received a stinging rebuke from chief executive Martin Snedden.

“Prior to the commencement of the season I spoke to the captains, coaches and chief executives of all major associations signalling NZC’s intent to help clean up player behaviour,” said Snedden.

“It was made clear by me that any suspension ... would be an appropriate penalty for proven breaches of the code of conduct.

“It’s very disappointing that an experienced NZC-contracted player has seriously breached the code.

“By doing so he has given a poor example to other players and at the same time jeopardised his place in the New Zealand team.”

Nash dropped out of the recent tour of Australia with a stomach strain and was playing in his first comeback match when he breached the code of conduct.

He will miss Auckland’s four-day championship game against Northern Districts starting on Friday and two one-day matches in early January.

Selection of the New Zealand side for the one-day series against hosts Australia and South Africa has been delayed until Jan 3 to allow fringe players to impress selectors.

Nash will not be available for the first two matches.—Reuters